title: Magnesium deficiency alters aggressive behavior and catecholamine function.
abstract: Magnesium is an abundant mineral in the brain and is important for monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis and receptor binding. It should, therefore, have behavior-altering effects. Three experiments were conducted to determine the influence of magnesium deficiencies on aggressive behavior and catecholamine function in mice. There were concentration- and time-dependent reductions in offensive aggressive behavior with magnesium deficiencies. Defensive behavior was affected in a manner opposite to that of offensive behavior. Upon administration of low doses of apomorphine and l-amphetamine, less dopamine- and norepinephrine-related behavior occurred with less magnesium in the diet. These reductions also showed a time dependency. These data demonstrate that magnesium has an influence on aggressive behavior in mice. Also, a magnesium deficiency is capable of altering the potency of catecholamine stimulating drugs.
authors: Department of Psychology, Boston University, Massachusetts 02215.
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Kantak
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000378:Agonistic Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D000661:Amphetamine; D001058:Apomorphine