J Neurocrit Care.  2021 Dec;14(2):78-87. 10.18700/jnc.210018.

Basic considerations on magnesium in the management of neurocritical patients

• Lozada-Martinez ID
• Padilla-Durán TJ
• González-Monterroza JJ
• Aguilar-Espinosa DA
• Molina-Perea KN
• Camargo-Martinez W
• Llamas-Medrano L
• Hurtado-Pinillos M
• Guerrero-Mejía A
• Janjua T
• Moscote-Salazar LR

• KMID: 2523717
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18700/jnc.210018

Abstract

Magnesium is an essential chemical element in human life. In the brain, it is physiologically responsible for a large number of processes involved in intracellular homeostasis, blood-brain barrier integrity, protein synthesis, neuronal proliferation, aging, and apoptosis. Considering that neurocritical care is a relatively new discipline in certain regions of the world and is an independent protective factor of neurological diseases in critical care, it is essential to disseminate basic concepts and utilities of tools that can positively impact the neurological disease burden. Magnesium and its use in neurocritical care are poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to review basic concepts regarding the physiology of magnesium in neurological dynamics, its role in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, and the outcome of its use in the management of neurocritical illnesses.

Keyword

Magnesium; Magnesium deficiency; Physiology; Nervous system diseases; Neurocritical care

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Neuroprotective mechanisms of magnesium against blood-brain barrier disruption. NMDA, N-methyl-D-aspartate; AQP-4, aquaporin-4. Created by the authors using BioRender.

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