Should magnesium be given to every migraineur? No

Abstract

Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders that affects young people, causing a considerable degree of disability in the active population, with an enormous consequent socio-economic impact. Despite intensive research, the pathomechanism of migraine is not completely understood and its fully effective therapy remains to be achieved. A number of experimental studies have implicated the importance of magnesium ion in the pathophysiology of this condition. Magnesium has been also administered for both prophylactic and acute therapy in migraine, but the question of its efficacy has not been studied adequately. The data available suggest that magnesium has a potential role in the prophylaxis, but the results in acute therapy are far less convincing. With a good side effect profile, magnesium is a relatively safe drug with a possible beneficial effect in the prophylaxis of migraine headache, and it may have its niche in the treatment of migraine patients. However, the current medical evidence that has accumulated and the fact that there are far more effective treatment possibilities clearly indicate that this drug is definitely not to be used by every migraineur.

Magnesium in Man: Implications for Health and Disease

“…Although presently the effectiveness of Mg 2ϩ treatment for the majority of patients is still debated (334,386), Mg 2ϩ is a second line drug for migraine patients (148,237). Over the last decades several double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trials have provided evidence for a beneficial effect of oral Mg 2ϩ supplementation on the number of migraine attacks (294,393,507) as well as the intensity of the pain during these attacks (149,294 in treating depression and their results are contradictory.…”

Desensitization properties of P2X3 receptors shaping pain signaling

“…There are, however, repeated suggestions to include this agent in the complex therapy of trigeminal migraine pain (this subject has been extensively discussed by Pardutz and Vecsei, 2012; and Mauskop and Varughese, 2012). As Mg 2+ inhibits desensitizing ATP-evoked currents in rat cultured sensory neurons (Giniatullin et al, 2003), this effect might be considered to contribute to its analgesic action in vivo (Crosby et al, 2000).…”

Cerebral energetic metabolism of individuals with migraine through 31P-MRS: A systematic review

“…11 Magnesium is an important component in the human metabolism, it is an essential cofactor for more than 300 biochemical reactions. 19 These reactions include cellular energy production and storage stabilization of mitochondrial membranes [20][21][22] The Mg 2+ has membrane stabilizing properties and is fundamental in the function of several ATPases, especially in the Na + /K + ATPase that controls the Na + pump. Neuronal hyperexcitability would be a result of the reduction of Mg 2+ levels that would justify the appearance of Cortical Spreading Depression and the increased sensitivity to the factors that trigger migraine.…”