Magnesium and brain injury, by Dr. Carolyn Dean

"Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health problem throughout the world. There are more than 400,000 patients with TBI in the United States alone. From animal studies, we know that brain magnesium levels fall dramatically at the site of injury as this mineral is depleted in a cascade of events. In sixty-six human subjects with acute blunt head trauma, the greater the degree of in jury, the greater the calcium-ion-to-magnesium-ion ratio. Such findings provide evidence of magnesium ion changes in the blood after traumatic brain injury, which could be of both diagnostic and prognostic value. Studies of both animals and human brain trauma victims suggest that higher magnesium levels are associated with a better recovery. Giving sufficient magnesium will create a better healing outcome. Magnesium sulfate significantly reduces brain edema following brain injury and is used to treat patients with severe TBI without adverse effects. This is crucial information to give your doctor if your child suffers a head injury or any family member is involved in a motor vehicle accident."
source: Dr. Carolyn Dean, "The Magnesium Miracle"