Alcohol withdrawal and magnesium deficiency in mice.

DBA/2J mice exposed to chronic alcohol (ethanol) intoxication were found to have lower whole brain magnesium (Mg) concentrations than control animals. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal were found to be strikingly similar to those seen in Mg deficient mice exposed to a low Mg diet without alcohol exposure. These findings suggest that CNS Mg deficits produced by alcohol exposure could contribute to the observed alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Serum Mg concentrations were also determined, and low correlations (less than or equal to 0.3) were found with brain Mg concentrations.