Magnesium Research 2011; 24 (3): S115-21 EUROPEAN MAGNESIUM MEETING - EUROMAG BOLOGNA 2011 Altered ionized magnesium levels in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease Mario Barbagallo, Mario Belvedere, Giovanna Di Bella, Ligia J. Dominguez Chair of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (DIMIS), University of Palermo, Italy Correspondence: M. Barbagallo, MD, Ph.D, Professor of Geriatrics, University of Palermo, Via F. Scaduto 6/C, Italy <mario.barbagallo@unipa.it> Abstract. Magnesium deficiency is present in several chronic, age-related diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The aim of the present study was to study magnesium homeostasis in patients with mild to moderate AD. One hundred and one elderly (≥65 years) patients were consecutively recruited (mean age: 73.4±0.8 years; M/F: 42/59). In all patients, a comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed including cognitive and functional status. Admission criteria for the AD group (diagnosed according to the DSM-IV and the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria) included: mild to moderate cog- nitive impairment (MMSE score: 11–24/30, corrected for age and education). Blood samples were analyzed for serum total magnesium (Mg-tot) and serum ionized magnesium (Mg-ion). AD patients had significantly lower MMSE scores (20.5±0.7 vs 27.9±0.2; p<0.001), and for the physical function tests. Mg-ion was significantly lower in the AD group as compared to age-matched control adults without AD (0.50±0.01 mmol/L vs 0.53±0.01 mmol/L; p<0.01). No significant differences were found in Mg-tot between the two groups (1.91±0.03 mEq/L vs 1.95±0.03 mEq/L; p=NS). For all subjects, Mg-ion levels were significantly and directly related only to cognitive function (Mg-ion/MMSE r=0.24 p<0.05), while no significant correlations were found in this group of patients between magne- sium and ADL or IADL. Our results show the presence of subclinical alterations in Mg-ion in patients with mild to moderate AD. Key words: magnesium, Alzheimer, dementia, aging, ionized magnesium, ions Magnesium deficiency has been related to several chronic, age-related diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases [1]. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in older populations, its incidence increasing dramatically with age [2]. AD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive and memory deteriora- tion, progressive impairment of activities of daily living (ADL), and a variety of neuropsychiatric and behavioral disturbances [3]. The neuropatho- Presented in part at the European Magnesium Meet- ing - EUROMAG Bologna 2011, San Giovanni in Monte, Bologna, Italy, June 8-10, 2011. logical hallmark of the disease is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, impaired synaptic function, and cell loss [3]. The etiopathogenesis of AD remains unclear. There are ongoing efforts to elucidate the biochemical pro- cesses involved in the etiopathogenesis of AD. The role of magnesium in dementia and other degene- rative disorders has been the focus of increased attention in recent years. Magnesium insuffi- ciency and its altered concentrations in the brain, as well as the effects of magnesium supplemen- tation in AD, have been investigated. Magnesium levels were found to be decreased in plasma and in various tissues of patients with Alzheimer’s disease in clinical, experimental and autopsy studies [4-7]. doi:10.1684/mrh.2011.0287 S115 To cite this article: Barbagallo M, Belvedere M, Di Bella G, Dominguez LJ. Altered ionized magnesium levels in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Magnes Res 2011; 24(3): S115-21 doi:10.1684/mrh.2011.0287