Serum concentration of magnesium as an independent risk factor in migraine attacks

Abstract

There is controversy over the role of magnesium in the etiology of migraine headaches. We aimed to evaluate and compare serum levels of magnesium between healthy individuals and those with migraine headaches during migraine attacks and between attacks to evaluate the role of magnesium in the etiology of migraine headaches. Forty patients with migraine headaches and 40 healthy individuals were enrolled in this matched case-control study. Malnutrition, digestive system disorders, history of smoking, drug abuse, and history of medications use were recorded at baseline. The pain scores of patients were measured and recorded based on a 10 cm visual analog scale. Subsequently, blood samples were collected at 8-10 in the morning to determine serum levels of magnesium. Analysis of variance, χ-test, and conditional logistic regression were used for data analysis. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the two groups. There were significant differences in magnesium serum levels between the three groups (1.09±0.2 mg/dl during migraine headaches; 1.95±0.3 mg/dl between the attacks; and 1.3±0.4 mh/dl in the control group; P<0.0001). Odds of acute migraine headaches increased 35.3 times (odds ratio=35.3; 95% confidence interval: 12.4-95.2; P=0.001) when serum levels of magnesium reached below the normal level. The odds in patients who are not in the acute attack phase were 6.9 folds higher (odds ratio=6.9; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.1; P=0.02). The serum level of magnesium is an independent factor for migraine headaches and patients with migraine have lower serum levels of magnesium during the migraine attacks and between the attacks compared with healthy individuals.

Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency on the Frequency of Headaches in Migraine

“… 31 A previous study found that the serum levels of magnesium were lower during migraine attacks than in healthy individuals. 32 Third, neurological diseases such as depression and fibromyalgia, which are associated with vitamin D, are also closely related to migraine itself. It is therefore possible that our findings are attributed to accompanying health conditions.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pediatric Migraine

“…[81][82][83][84][85][86][87] The same study also showed a 25% reduction in magnesium ion concentration in juvenile migraine patients, and decreased magnesium levels have been associated with an increased odds of having a migraine attack. 87,88 Decreased serum levels of magnesium in adult migraine populations have previously been suggested as an independent risk factor for migraine attacks, 89 and three adult studies have also found decreased brain magnesium in migraineurs in the occipital lobe, 90 the anterior-posterior region, 91 and the frontal and temporal lobes. 92 As such, decreased magnesium ion levels have been suggested to contribute to reduced mitochondrial oxidation as well as reduced bioenergetics seen in patients with migraine, as magnesium is a cofactor in oxidative phosphorylation and stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane.…”

Magnesium and Pain

“…Accordingly, hypomagnesemia has been observed in patients with migraines [ 115 , 116 ]. Additionally, a low serum concentration of magnesium is an independent risk factor for migraine attacks [ 117 ]. There is considerable evidence that magnesium supplementation is useful for the management or prophylaxis of migraine headaches.…”