Decreased serum magnesium levels in depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (3rd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: You, Hyun Ju; Cho, Seo-Eun; Kang, Seung-Gul; Cho, Seong-Jin; Na, Kyoung-Sae
• Is Part Of: Nordic journal of psychiatry. Volume 72:Number 7(2018)
• Page Start: 534
• Page End: 541
• Publication Date: 2018-10-03
• Subjects: Magnesium -- depression -- meta-analysis -- systematic review; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Scandinavia -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2018.1538388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0803-9488

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Magnesium (Mg 2+ ), an endogenous N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has received increased attention recently because of its role in the pathophysiology of and treatment response in depression. However, whether Mg 2+ level is decreased in depression is not firmly established. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to help making consensus for the association between Mg 2+ levels and depression. Methods : A systematic search was conducted in the electronic database resources PubMed and Embase. After a careful selection of relevant studies, a meta-analysis using the random effects model was conducted in each measuring source, such as serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Results: A total of 18 studies were included in this study. Among 11 studies that measured Mg 2+ in the serum, Mg 2+ level was lower in patients with depression than in controls (weighted mean difference = −.088, 95% confidence interval = −.164 to −.012). In the sensitivity analysis by removing studies one by one, 2 out of the 11 studies obliterated such significant differences. There were no significant differences in the Mg 2+ levels in the studies for plasma and CSF. Conclusions : Despite some evidence supporting an association between decreased Mg 2+ levels and depression from studies with serum, the results of our meta-analysis urge to use caution when associating Mg 2+ levels and depression. Future studies are needed to establish a consensus for the role of low Mg 2+ levels in depression.