Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin B6 Related Measures in Children with Tourette’s Syndrome
Author(s): Bonnie Grimaldi, Robert A DiSilvestro
Background and Objective: The functions of magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6 have been hypothesized to work against the symptoms of
Tourette Syndrome (TS). This study tested the hypothesis that children with TS would have low values for markers of status for magnesium,
zinc, and vitamin B6.
Methods: Children with TS were compared to control children for blood measures related to nutritional status of the above mentioned nutrients.
Results: No differences were seen for any of the following measures: plasma magnesium, erythrocyte magnesium and potassium, plasma
zinc, plasma activity of the zinc enzyme 5’-nucleotidase and plasma B6 as pyridoxal phosphate.
Discussion: These results suggest that children with TS do not show depletion of magnesium, zinc, or vitamin B6. However, this study does
not rule out that TS creates conditions where normal nutrient levels do not provide adequate functional capacities.
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