Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Hemodynamic Parameters and Cognitive Function

Dementia is an important geriatric syndrome. The prevalence of dementia increases with age. According to the data of the Taiwan Alzheimer Disease Association, one out of 13 elderly people over 65 and one out of 5 elderly over 80 had dementia. Almost 20% of the elderly people have the mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an intermediate stage between normal cognition and dementia. The results from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT), 2013-2016 found that magnesium average intake was much lower than the daily recommended intake level in MCI elders over 65. Since magnesium, an abundant essential mineral in human body plays important roles in energy provision, anti-inflammation, and preventing post-stroke NMDA toxicity; our previous study trialed and showed that a moderate level of daily magnesium supplementation could improve stroke recovery for discharged stroke patients in a 6-month clinical trial. Due to its effect on neuroprotection, this study intends to evaluate the short-term effect of magnesium supplement at a DRI level on cognitive function and on certain hemodynamic parameters. MCI participants aged 60 and over are eligible for recruitment. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) will be used to determine the MCI status. A score of 25 or lower is indicative of cognitive impairment. The exclusion criteria include: regularly taking magnesium supplements, having a severe illness (e.g. cancer), bed-ridden, inability to speak, with visual or hearing impairment, and living in elderly homes. The investigators designed a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Participants will be divided into magnesium intervention group and placebo group. Participants of the placebo group will receive 30cc solution containing 100 mg of citrate acid and flavored by 1g of Splenda. The magnesium citrate pure powder from NOW FOODS containing 300mg magnesium will be dissolved in 30cc of the above solution. Before and after two hours of intervention, participants will be interviewed and assessed for the following: questionnaires, cognitive function, carotid artery flow velocity, ankle-brachial blood pressure ratio, and urinary magnesium. Questionnaires include Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and working memory test - digit span test. Philips iE33 Ultrasound System and OMRON Non-invasive Vascular Screening Device VP1000 plus will be used to measure carotid artery flow velocity and ankle-brachial blood pressure ratio. This intervention will be carried out after the informed consent form is signed, roughly from 8 AM in the morning to 12:30 PM. Participants have to take their breakfast before the trial and allowed to eat lunch after the process finishes.