There are a number of studies that have shown that Mg is an important factor in a number of diseases of the central nervous system as well as in peripheral nerves.  It is not surprising that this is so since one of the factors in maintaining normal electrical signals along nerve fibers is the active Na-K-Mg-activated ATPase enzyme that catalyzes the movement of Na out of cells and K into cells to maintain a voltage difference of approximately -90 millivolts. Without this voltage potential difference, and ionic distribution, there would not be a normal action potential to transmit down a nerve fiber.

In addition to maintaining electrical and physical-chemical gradients, Mg is involved in many other energy-requiring chemical and motor activities of the nerve cell.   In recent years there has been considerable study on different types of Ca channel and the modes of transport across cell membranes.  It is known that Mg in its hydrated state can interfere with this transport.

The Na/K pump is driven by the breakdown of ATP into ADP.  Mg is involved in most biochemical reactions involving phosphorylation - either losing it from ATP or putting it back on to ADP.

In addition, the metabolic pathways that generate high energy ATP are dependent in many steps upon Mg-activated enzymes.  Kinases are one large family of enzymes that are for the most part dependent upon Mg for activation.  Mg is also involved in a number of signaling pathways.

Nitric Oxide regulatory pathways - see Muscle page.

Thus, there are numerous places where if Mg is absent or below normal levels, nerve dysfunction will occur.  This may be in the motor neurons themselves, at the synapses, at the neuro-muscular junctions, on the muscle surface or within the muscles cells themselves. Some of the areas of concern are the following:

• Muscular Dystrophy and other Dystonias or Spasms

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Myotonia

• Muscle Pain

• Neuro-muscular control disorders 

• Parkinsons's Disease and other neurological diseases

• Schizophrenia

• Depression

For conditions for which calcium channel blocking agents (such as diltiazem) are found effective, elevation of the Mg level may be equally effective with few side effects.  Specific indicators to be alert for when dealing with these diseases are the blood electrolyte levels.  If the Magnesium level is higher or lower than normal, that condition would be designated as either Hypermagnesemia or Hypomagnesemia respectively.  It may also be important to look for abnormal levels of Ca, Na, and K.  Often the physiological effects are not only level sensitive but also ratio sensitive.  Thus a low Mg may not be as much of a problem for some diseases if the Ca were also low.  Similarly, Mg/K, Ca/K and Na/K ratios are often good indicators of impending malfunction as much as the absolute levels, though the later are certainly important.