New experimental and clinical data on the efficacy of pharmacological magnesium infusions in cerebral infarcts.

"...Magnesium may act as a neuroprotective agent through vascular effects (increasing regional cerebral blood flow to ischaemic tissue, anticonstrictor effects against vascular mediators, vasodilatation of the cerebral circulation) or neuronal effects.... Magnesium infusions of sulphate or chloride salts are significantly neuroprotective in standard animal focal cerebral ischaemia models, with benefits being evident at serum concentrations attainable in humans. Mg systemic infusion causes rises in cerebrospinal fluid and brain magnesium concentrations. Magnesium is also neuroprotective in other models of cerebral ischaemia..."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9595548?dopt=Abstract