Magnesium for migraine prophylaxis: A Double-Blind Plascebo Controlled Trial

Abstract

Possible mechanisms for migraine attacks like cerebral vasoconstriction, spreadingdepression central neurotransmitter dysfunction and platelet hyperaggregation have beenshown to appear in the absence of magnesium, which lead to the idea that there is arelationship between magnesium and migraine attacks. ln the few years there have beenmany studies about the efficiency of magnesium in the treatment and prophylaxis ofmigraine attacks. Our study aimed to determine the efficiency of magnesium in theprophylaxis of 60 migraine patients with or without aura. After 3 months the number;duration and severity of migraine attacks were decreased in the group taking magnesium and there were no side effects causing drug discontinuance. We conclude that magnesiumis effective in the prophylaxis of migraine, but further large comparative controlled studies are needed to recommend it for clinical uses.