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 depressi on: 16 normal controls and in three animal models of depression: chronic se vere 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 d epression. Unipolar depressed patients exhibit significantly lower serum ma gnesium levels than the appropriate controls (depression 19.1+/-2.2 mg/l; c ontrol 21.0 mg/l). There is no correlation between serum magnesium levels a nd the severity of depression. A significant positive correlation between s erum magnesium/copper ratio and the severity of depression indicates a clea r relationship between alterations of the homeostasis of these two ions in human depression. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.