Association of serum magnesium levels with seizure disorder; experience from central India

Abstract

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the body. It has several functions in the human body including its role as a cofactor for more than 300 enzymatic reactions. Mg is a potential modulator of seizure activity because of its ability to antagonize the excitatory calcium influx through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Low magnesium levels in people with refractory epilepsy can increase the frequency of seizures. Hence in our study we aim to study the association of serum magnesium levels with seizure disorders and compare it with matched controls. In our study 154 adult individuals were included with seizure patients to control ratio of 1:1. Serum Magnesium levels was estimated in all individuals and levels were compared between patients of seizure disorder and healthy controls. Mean serum magnesium level was significantly lower in patients of seizure disorder as compared to controls (p<0.01). We, also observed significantly lower calcium level amongst cases as compared to controls (p<0.05). The mean magnesium level within 24 hours of seizures was 1.47±0.50 mg/dl whereas as the duration since seizures increased, mean magnesium level increased. In our study we found significant association between seizures and serum magnesium levels, as low magnesium has been implicated in refractory seizures which are resistant to anti-epileptic drugs and magnesium supplementation in such patients may result in decrease in number of anti-epileptic drugs and better control of seizures.