Magnesium as an Important Factor in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Migraine—From Theory to Practice

Abstract

So far, no coherent and convincing theory has been developed to fully explain the pathogenesis of migraine, although many researchers and experts emphasize its association with spreading cortical depression, oxidative stress, vascular changes, nervous excitement, neurotransmitter release, and electrolyte disturbances. The contribution of magnesium deficiency to the induction of cortical depression or abnormal glutamatergic neurotransmission is a likely mechanism of the magnesium–migraine relationship. Hence, there is interest in various methods of assessing magnesium ion deficiency and attempts to study the relationship of its intra- and extracellular levels with the induction of migraine attacks. At the same time, many clinicians believe that magnesium supplementation in the right dose and form can be a treatment to prevent migraine attacks, especially in those patients who have identified contraindications to standard medications or their different preferences. However, there are no reliable publications confirming the role of magnesium deficiency in the diet as a factor causing migraine attacks. It also seems interesting to deepen the research on the administration of high doses of magnesium intravenously during migraine attacks. The aim of the study was to discuss the probable mechanisms of correlation of magnesium deficiency with migraine, as well as to present the current clinical proposals for the use of various magnesium preparations in complementary or substitute pharmacotherapy of migraine. The summary of the results of research and clinical observations to date gives hope of finding a trigger for migraine attacks (especially migraine with aura), which may turn out to be easy to diagnose and eliminate with pharmacological and dietary supplementation.

New perspectives on migraine treatment: a review of the mechanisms and effects of complementary and alternative therapies

“…Migraine may be associated with electrolyte disturbances, and magnesium deficiency may induce migraine by affecting cortical inhibition or leading to abnormalities in glutamatergic neurotransmission, which is seen as a potential mechanism for the magnesium-migraine association ( 53 ). Magnesium is involved in the regulation of the nervous system through multiple pathways, not only regulating vasodilatation by affecting mitochondrial metabolism, neurotransmitter release, and substance P release, but also attenuating neuroinflammation by inhibiting the nuclear factor κB pathway in pro-inflammatory cells ( 54 , 55 ).…”

Migraine as a Disease Associated with Dysbiosis and Possible Therapy with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation

“…Only a few studies have demonstrated a reduction in the length and severity of migraine headaches. In dysbiosis, magnesium serves as an adjuvant therapy ( Table 3 ) [ 66 , 67 ].…”

Migraine drugs

“…Unfortunately, the strength of evidence supporting oral magnesium supplementation is still limited [467]. But most recently there are some promising studies indicating that supplementary magnesium might be beneficial, especially in pediatric but also in adult patients [468][469][470]. 39 Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone-10) was discovered in 1957 and first isolated from bovine hearts by Frederick L. Crane (1925Crane ( -2016 at the University of Wisconsin [460].…”