From the Guidelines
Low magnesium levels can indeed cause seizures, as evidenced by the association between hypomagnesaemia and neurological symptoms such as seizures, as noted in a 2018 study published in the Annals of Oncology 1. Magnesium plays a crucial role in regulating nerve function and electrical activity in the brain. When magnesium levels fall too low, neurons can become hyperexcitable, leading to abnormal electrical discharges that may trigger seizures. Some key points to consider include:
- Severe hypomagnesemia requires immediate medical attention and is typically treated with intravenous magnesium sulfate in hospital settings.
- Replacement using i.v. magnesium sulfate may reverse symptoms associated with hypomagnesaemia, including seizures, as suggested by the study 1.
- Common causes of low magnesium include certain medications, chronic alcoholism, malabsorption disorders, kidney disease, and severe diarrhea or vomiting.
- Magnesium deficiency often occurs alongside other electrolyte imbalances, particularly low calcium and potassium, which can worsen neurological symptoms.
- Anyone experiencing seizures should seek immediate medical care rather than attempting to self-treat, as proper diagnosis and comprehensive treatment are essential.
From the FDA Drug Label
As a nutritional adjunct in hyperalimentation, the precise mechanism of action for magnesium is uncertain. Early symptoms of hypomagnesemia (less than 1. 5 mEq/L) may develop as early as three to four days or within weeks. Predominant deficiency effects are neurological, e.g., muscle irritability, clonic twitching and tremors. Magnesium prevents or controls convulsions by blocking neuromuscular transmission and decreasing the amount of acetylcholine liberated at the end-plate by the motor nerve impulse.
Low magnesium levels can cause neurological symptoms, including:
- Muscle irritability
- Clonic twitching
- Tremors Magnesium plays a role in preventing or controlling convulsions, suggesting that low magnesium levels may contribute to the development of seizures. 2
From the Research
Magnesium Deficiency and Seizures
- Magnesium plays a crucial role in various cellular functions, including oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, DNA transcription, and protein synthesis 3
- Low magnesium levels have been associated with a range of medical conditions, including epilepsy, and may decrease seizure thresholds in animal models 3, 4
- Studies suggest that people with epilepsy may have lower magnesium levels than those without epilepsy, and magnesium supplementation may help reduce seizures in people with epilepsy 3, 4
Clinical Evidence
- Case reports have shown that seizures can be controlled with magnesium supplementation in people with specific conditions, such as infantile spasms 3
- A randomized clinical trial found that magnesium supplementation raised seizure threshold in humans, but more studies are needed to understand the potential role of magnesium deficiency in epilepsy 4
- Hypomagnesemia has been identified as a cause of seizures in several case series, and maintaining a magnesium level >0.65 mmol/L can improve or eliminate seizures 5, 6
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Magnesium levels should be measured when evaluating afebrile seizures, and hypomagnesemia should be treated with the goal of maintaining a magnesium concentration >0.65 mmol/L 5
- Genetic causes of hypomagnesemia should be considered if common causes are ruled out, and magnesium supplementation may be an effective therapeutic agent for seizures and other life-threatening problems 5, 7