Serum trace elements in animal models and human depression: Part III. Magnesium. Relationship with copper.

In the present study we report the results of investigations into the serum magnesium levels in a clinical study of 19 patients with unipolar depression; 16 normal controls and in three animal models of depression: chronic severe stress (CSS), chronic mild stress (CMS) and olfactory bulbectomy (OB) in rats. There was no alteration in the values found in the rat models of depression. Unipolar depressed patients exhibit significantly lower serum magnesium levels than the appropriate controls (depression 19.1+/-2.2 mg/l; control 21.0 mg/l). There is no correlation between serum magnesium levels and the severity of depression. A significant positive correlation between serum magnesium/copper ratio and the severity of depression indicates a clear relationship between alterations of the homeostasis of these two ions in human depression. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.