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Deficiency In Serum Ionized Magnesium But Not Total Magnesium In Patients With Migraines. Possible Role Of Ica 2+ /IMg 2+ Ratio

1993; Wiley; Volume: 33; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.1526-4610.1993.hed3303135.x

1526-4610

Alexander Mauskop, B. T. Altura, R.Q. Cracco, B. M. Altura,

Magnesium in Health and Disease

SYNOPSIS It has been suggested that magnesium (Mg) may play a role in the pathogenesis of headaches. Serum and intracellular measurements of Mg in headache patients have produced inconsistent results. The recent development of an ion‐selective electrode for Mg 2+ allowed precise measurement of serum ionized magnesium (IMg 2+ ) in patients with various headache syndromes. Low serum Img 2+ and a high ICa 2+ /IMg 2+ ratio were found in 42% of patients having an attack of migraine, but only in 23% of patients with e severe continuous headache. Total serum Mg was normal in both groups of patients. However, in patients with low serum IMg 2+ total serum Mg was lower than in patients with normal serum IMg 2+ . These results are compatible with the serotonin and vascular concepts of migraine pathogenesis. Low IMg 2+ and a high ICa 2+ /Img 2+ would result in cerebral vasospasm and reduced blood flow in the brain. The activity of serotonin receptors can also be affected by changes in IMg 2+ levels. The finding of a difference in IMg 2+ levels in two different headache types suggests a possible novel classification of headaches and that migraine patients with a low serum IMg 2+ or a high ICa 2+ /IMg 2+ ratio may benefit from Mg supplementation.