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Normal aging results in points of communication (synapses) between brain cells being lost

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Repair Your Aging Brain

Normal aging results in points of communication (synapses) between brain cells being lost. Magnesium promotes the growth of synapses and neurons. Developed by MIT scientists, magnesium L-threonate easily enters the brain to help defend against neurodegeneration.

Scientifically reviewed by: Gary Gonzalez, MD, in June 2025. Written by: Michael Jenkins.

Your brain needs magnesium.

It is essential for supporting neurological processes that are vital to cognitive function.^1,2

In animal studies, it has been shown to spur the growth of new brain cells³ and to help increase the number of synapses.

Magnesium has also been shown in these models to improve plasticity (the ability of synapses to adapt), and maintain synapses, the connections between brain cells^4-6 that usually dwindle with age.^7,8

Roughly 50% of U.S. adults do not get enough magnesium in their diet.⁹ And when it comes to magnesium intake, one form of magnesium is thought to be most effective for the brain.¹⁰

Magnesium L-threonate has been shown in preclinical studies to boost brain levels of magnesium.^6,11

In one study of adults aged 50-70, magnesium L-threonate improved processing speed such that the researchers concluded brain aging measures had been reversed by nine years.¹²

Magnesium’s Importance in the Brain

More than 600 enzymatic reactions require magnesium.² These enzymes are involved in critical processes, including DNA repair, energy metabolism, muscle function, and cell communication.¹³

Magnesium is especially critical for the nervous system and brain.

That makes it no surprise that it contributes to many functions affecting our cognitive abilities. Some of the roles magnesium plays in the brain include:

Support for brain metabolism. The brain consumes more fuel than most other tissues to power its vital functions. Many of the enzymes involved in cellular energy supply require magnesium to function.¹⁴
Promoting growth of synapses and neurons. Synapses are the points of communication between brain cells. With age, synapses can be lost, contributing to cognitive decline and dementia.^3,11,14
Improving synaptic plasticity. Synaptic plasticity is the ability of synapses to adapt and change in response to stimuli, which is essential for learning and forming memories. Magnesium modulates synaptic plasticity.^5,6
Neuroprotective effects. Magnesium reduces the neuroinflammation that contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, defends against oxidative stress, and protects neurons from dangerously high levels of the neurotransmitter glutamate (a phenomenon known as glutamate toxicity).^5,15-17
Improvements in the gut-brain axis. Gut health is so closely linked to brain health that scientists call the connection the gut-brain axis. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, magnesium L-threonate intake improved the gut microbiome and helped reduce symptoms.¹⁸

A Superior Form of Magnesium

The bad news is that low magnesium status is common and tends to worsen with age.^2,19

Magnesium deficit has been linked to rapid aging and risk for many age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration.^2,16,20,21

Many forms of oral magnesium people take are of little help when it comes to reaching the brain. They are often difficult to absorb and fail to cross the blood-brain barrier and make it into the brain.^6,22

The good news is that scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a superior form of magnesium called magnesium L-threonate.^6,23

This form has been demonstrated in preclinical research to cross the blood brain barrier and dramatically improve the absorption of magnesium into the brain.^6,11,22-25

In animal models, magnesium L-threonate intake has been shown to shield the brain from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, and to boost cognitive function.^18,26,27

Magnesium L-Threonate Boosts Brain Function

Human trials of magnesium L-threonate have also shown clear brain-health benefits.

One randomized, double-blind, controlled trial followed 44 adults aged 50 to 70 years for changes in brain processing speed and overall cognitive ability.¹²

Participants were given 1,500 to 2,000 mg of magnesium L-threonate or a placebo daily. They were tested for four types of cognitive function: working memory, executive function, episodic memory, and attention.

After 12 weeks, those receiving magnesium L-threonate showed improved overall cognitive abilities and experienced a 9.4-year reversal in brain aging metrics based on an improvement in processing speed, compared to those taking the placebo.

Improvements in cognitive functions were observed by week six, during which the supplement group demonstrated significant gains in executive function tests (reasoning, problem-solving, and planning), along with a 13% improvement in working memory compared to the placebo group.

By week 12, there was a 20% improvement in executive function and an almost 37% increase in episodic memory relative to placebo.

A separate clinical trial investigated individuals with mild to moderate dementia and found that magnesium L-threonate significantly enhanced both cognitive performance and executive function (i.e., the capacity to plan, adapt, concentrate, and make decisions).²⁸

Additional human studies suggest that magnesium L-threonate can benefit other areas of brain health and function, including:

In a clinical trial of advanced cancer patients on opioids, a 1,500 to 2,000 mg dose of magnesium L- threonate was shown to improve pain control and significantly lower the increase in daily morphine dose as compared to placebo,²⁹

In a clinical trial, a 1,000 mg daily dose of magnesium L -threonate for 28 days resulted in improved quality of sleep and daytime functioning in adults with sleeping problems as compared to placebo,10 and

In an open label pilot study of adults with moderate attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 12-week supplementation resulted in improvement in the clinical status of then subjects.³⁰

Magnesium L-threonate holds great promise for supporting brain health and improving cognitive function.

What You Need To Know

Magnesium That Benefits Cognition

Magnesium plays a critical role in hundreds of bodily functions. In the brain, it supports the growth and health of synapses and neurons.
Low magnesium levels are common in older ages. Most forms of magnesium have not been studied for cognitive benefits.
Magnesium L-threonate has been shown in preclinical trials to cross the blood-brain barrier.
In clinical trials, magnesium L-threonate intake improved cognitive function in older adults and reversed a measure of brain age.

Summary

Magnesium is essential to support synaptic density, grow new brain cells, and improve cognitive performance.

Low magnesium levels are common and tend to get worse with older age.

A unique form, called magnesium L-threonate, has been shown in animal studies to effectively boost brain magnesium levels.

In one clinical trial, this form improved cognitive performance in adults with mild to moderate dementia; in another, it reversed an indicator of brain aging by nearly a decade.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

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