[The role of copper and magnesium in the pathogenesis and treatment of affective disorders]

Psychiatr Pol. 2005 Sep-Oct;39(5):911-20.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Magnesium and copper are important modulators of NMDA-receptor activity. Recent data indicate that disturbances of glutamatergic transmission (especially via NMDA-receptor) are involved in pathogenesis of mood disorders. Magnesium deficiency, the same as disturbances in turn over of copper, are related to a variety of psychological symptoms especially depression. There are many reports indicating significant changes in blood levels of magnesium or copper during a depressive episode. Moreover magnesium exhibits antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of depression, in rodents. This article reviews the alterations in central and peripheral magnesium and copper homeostasis in relation to pathophysiology and treatment of depression.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidepressive Agents* / blood
  • Antidepressive Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / metabolism
  • Copper* / blood
  • Copper* / therapeutic use
  • Glutamic Acid / drug effects
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnesium* / blood
  • Magnesium* / metabolism
  • Magnesium* / therapeutic use
  • Mood Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Mood Disorders / metabolism*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Copper
  • Magnesium