Novel Magnesium Compound Reverses Neurodegeneration

Scientists have been challenged to find a way to raise magnesium levels in the brain.8 Even intravenous infusions cause only a modest elevation of magnesium levels in the central nervous system.22

An innovative team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently found a way to surmount this obstacle. They formulated a new magnesium compound called magnesium-L-threonate or MgT that in lab tests allows for oral administration while maximizing magnesium "loading" into the brain.7,8

Based on prior research, they meticulously documented that increased levels of magnesium in the brain promote synaptic density and plasticity in the hippocampus.14 Up until now, however, no widely available forms of magnesium met the criteria needed for rapid absorption and efficient transfer into the central nervous system.8

By contrast, MgT yielded compelling results.

MgT oral supplements increased magnesium levels in spinal fluid, an index of measurement in brain magnesium by about 15%, while none of the other magnesium compounds tested produced significant elevations.8 While a 15% increase may not sound like a lot, it induced a profound effect on neurological function.

To evaluate the effects of MgT on memory, the researchers tested it against currently available magnesium compounds. They used a simple assessment of learning and memory called the Novel Object Recognition Test or NORT. A high NORT score means that the animal is good at recognizing and identifying new objects, a skill that is critical in aging humans as well.8 NORT is a good test of function in the hippocampus, which is rich in the NMDA receptors so closely controlled by magnesium.23

The researchers put aged animals through the NORT test, supplementing them with MgT or one of the commercially available magnesium compounds. Only MgT significantly enhanced both short- and long-term memory, boosting scores by 15% for short-term memory and 54% for long-term memory compared to magnesium citrate.8

Add to this the fact that most folks in the US are deficient in magnesium and it could explain a lot. Of course, most folks here are also deficient in Vitamin D (the good kind our body makes from the sun), and probably a few others.

Thanks for sharing.

I think there are more than one supplements company who provides it, as per my search on the web. It is expensive. The US company from which I get my supplements does supply it. I will pm you the name as I am not sure that forum rules permit mentioning it publicly (as it will look like a free ad).
cheers
Imad

http://www.jbc.org/content/277/18/16116.full

I found this also a very interesting article explaining the importance of iron and magnesium in PD pathology.

keep in mind this MIT article was back in 2010 and LIFE EXTENSION is in the business of selling supplements.
and this was tested only in rats.

here's the article the LEF article cites, not much there.
http://www.mit.edu/press/2010/magnesium-supplement.html


For Immediate Release: January 27, 2010
contact: Jen Hirsch, MIT News Office
email: newsoffice@mit.edu phone: 617-253-2700

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Magnesium supplement helps boost brainpower
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Neuroscientists at MIT and Tsinghua University in Beijing show that increasing brain magnesium with a new compound enhanced learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in rats. The dietary supplement also boosted older rats’ ability to perform a variety of learning tests.

Magnesium supplement helps boost brainpower
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Neuroscientists at MIT and Tsinghua University in Beijing show that increasing brain magnesium with a new compound enhanced learning abilities, working memory, and short- and long-term memory in rats. The dietary supplement also boosted older rats’ ability to perform a variety of learning tests.[/QUOTE]

I've been taking this supplement - I'm not hearing loud churchbells from it but i do feel compelled to take it-its so hard to know if this supplement is the reason i do feel on occassion improvement to my memory and communication but intuitively it seems very good.

You are right. But still, I found the article I sent really interesting. It looks like magnesium can unfold misfolded PD protein. And iron does fold it. People with PD have lack of magnesium and too much iron. To me, this explains why the protein is misfolded and attacks the neurons. If this article is really true, sooner of later something must be discovered that is related to this. Looks like some iron needs to be removed and magnesium added to the brain to avoid the dangerous clumps.

I remember vaguely an article about an agent that removed iron from the brain. If only I could remember a bit more about that article. I think it would be worth to test this agent in combination with magnesium in some clinical trial.

http://www.parkinson.org/Patients/Pa...tion-Therapy-f

Good one. I found this clinical trial:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01539837

Hmmm, I found more interesting results about chelation:

http://www.scopus.com/record/display...LTtfBmnudv%3a2

http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijcb/2012/983245/#B75

I can't wait for the clinical phase II results of the chelation trial.