Here is an interesting article about a novel synthetic form of magnesium to help with neuro-plasticity.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/201...mory-loss.aspx

I hope this can get FDA approval quickly.

One has to realize that this information is very important, BUT
the magnesium we eat is not in this form and it seems to get into our brains just fine. I believe that there is a bit of hype to push this compound... so take that into consideration.

In fact as we age, our blood brain barrier may become MORE permeable to everything, and this is suspected as being a cause for neuro diseases that occur in the elderly.

Often studies use products that have been altered in some way, and if you look at curcumin studies, they used a special form of this spice. Same with the bipolar studies on EPA fish oil, which was manufactured to be higher in concentration for the study.
(OmegaBrite).

Magnesium has been shown statistically to be deficient in about 70% of Americans.

This article explains that there is an active transport for magnesium into the brain. In fact more magnesium is concentrated there than in the serum!
http://www.ionchannels.org/showabstr...p?pmid=1296767

Another nutrient that is carried into the CSF is B12.

Nice article. Watch out for Magnesium supplements though...they can give you a nasty bout of diarrhea.

Taking too much, or using the oxide form can lead to loose stools.

In fact Magnesium oxide tablets are used as a laxative today. Do not use the oxide form for supplements, as they are very poorly absorbed.
They remain in the bowel and act as a laxative.

I have a magnesium thread here that explains:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1138.html

When starting magnesium one should aim for 1/2 of the RDA to start: That would be about 200mg elemental for adults.

One needs good kidney functions as well.

FYI,

Those of us who take Neurontin (gabapentin) need to take our magnesium supplements at a different time than the Neurontin dose. The Magnesium can interfere with the Neurontin absorption. I take Mag in the AM and my Neurontin in the late PM.