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Magnesium plays an important role in brain function, memory, and communication between nerve cells. Magnesium L-threonate is a form of magnesium being studied for its potential effects on cognitive health because research suggests it may help increase magnesium levels in the brain and support NMDA receptor signaling, which is involved in learning and memory. A 2017 study published in Innovation in Aging investigated whether magnesium L-threonate supplementation could improve cognitive function and brain energy metabolism in people with mild-to-moderate dementia.The study involved 15 patients who received magnesium L-threonate for 12 weeks. Researchers used FDG-PET brain scans, cognitive tests, and blood samples to measure changes in brain glucose metabolism, memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function. After 12 weeks, participants showed significant improvements in regional brain glucose metabolism and overall cognitive performance. Higher red blood cell magnesium levels were also associated with better cognition and executive function in some patients. However, the study was small and did not include a placebo group, so it could not establish that magnesium L-threonate caused these improvements. Researchers recommended larger controlled trials to confirm the findings.PMCID: PMC6242385