State of the art of new data on the role of magnesium in brain injury: clinical interest of measurements of total and ionized magnesium.

Despite many research studies on traumatic brain injury, few markers have been applicable to diagnose trauma at tissue concentration. Today, the importance of the magnesium ion in posttraumatic homeostasis of brain is a well-known reality. Magnesium concentration affects a number of secondary injury factors including neurotransmitter release, ion changes, oxidative stress, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism. There are many experimental and clinical studies relating to magnesium status in brain injury. It was considered by some authors that only the total form of magnesium should be measured in brain injury. However, recent studies point out that measurement of the ionized form also aids in the intervention of patients with brain trauma. This review aims to explain the role of magnesium in brain injury and to assess the real status of magnesium through pertinent tests.