Life Extension Foundation to Sponsor Magnesium Study on Depressed Population

A study to assess the efficacy of an intravenous magnesium sulfate infusion in participants displaying symptoms of “treatment-resistant” mild and moderate depression will be sponsored by Life Extension Foundation (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), a nonprofit group started by dietary supplements brand Life Extension to fund scientific research for human health, the company announced via press release. The study will be conducted by the University of Miami under the direction of John E. Lewis, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences.

The double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study will enroll 20 subjects who will receive either the intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate or placebo containing 5% dextrose.

“The magnesium deficient status will be determined via assessment of the magnesium level in the blood and urine before and after each infusion,” said Dr. Steven Hirsh, Life Extension’s clinical research director, in the press release. “The effectiveness of the infusion will be determined through scores attained on a rating scale for depression as well as a patient health questionnaire for depression.”

Researchers are now recruiting participants for the trial.

The study will be titled, “A double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study of an IV infusion of Magnesium Sulfate vs. 5% Dextrose in a crossover design in male and female volunteers with treatment resistant depression.” It is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.