Neurological disorders, including traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, and depression, have emerged as major global health challenges, affecting hundreds of millions of individuals worldwide. Recently, magnesium-containing materials have attracted growing interest in neuroscience research owing to their favorable biocompatibility, biodegradability, and neuroprotective properties.

This Review article, titled "Magnesium-containing materials for brain and neural repair: advances and perspectives," was published recently in Frontiers of Materials Science. Beyond systematically reviewing progress in the field, this paper innovatively applies bibliometric analysis to map research hotspots and developmental trends over the past two decades (2001–2024). The findings underscore the therapeutic potential of these materials for a range of neurological disorders.

This review not only examines the multifaceted neuroprotective roles of magnesium in brain and neural repair but also highlights recent breakthroughs in novel magnesium-containing materials. Specifically, magnesium and its ions contribute to cognitive improvement and neural regeneration by inhibiting NMDA receptors, attenuating neuroinflammation, and modulating the gut–brain axis. In addition, the paper discusses the potential applications of several emerging materials, including magnesium oxide nanoparticles, magnesium alloys, and novel nanocomposites. For instance, magnesium oxide nanoparticles have been shown to effectively elevate magnesium ion concentrations in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, thereby alleviating sleep deprivation-induced memory deficits and exerting anxiolytic effects. Magnesium alloys not only release bioactive ions that promote neural repair but also provide an ideal supportive environment for nerve regeneration, owing to their favorable electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. Furthermore, a gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite loaded with magnesium hydroxide has demonstrated the ability to target brain tissue, reduce oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, thereby offering a promising new strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

A distinctive feature of this article is its visual analysis of 2129 relevant publications using CiteSpace software. The analysis identifies "brain injury," "cerebral palsy," and "cerebrospinal fluid" as core topics in the field. More importantly, keywords such as "oxidative stress," "Alzheimer’s disease," "depression," and "magnesium oxide" have recently emerged as research hotspots. This shift signifies a transition in research focus from purely structural repair toward the exploration of more complex brain cognitive functions and mental health trajectory that delineates future directions for the application of magnesium-containing materials in brain science.

Despite the promising outlook, the article objectively acknowledges current challenges, such as narrow therapeutic windows and a lack of standardized administration protocols. Nevertheless, it outlines a clear direction for future research, emphasizing the need for more large-scale, rigorously designed clinical trials to fully harness the potential of magnesium-containing materials in treating a wide spectrum of neurological disorders, from cerebral palsy and Alzheimer’s disease to depression. The review also highlights the potential of integrating artificial intelligence with materials science to develop smarter, more efficient magnesium-based neural repair materials, thereby accelerating the translation of this field from the laboratory to the clinic.

In conclusion, the article underscores that magnesium and magnesium-containing materials, as neuroprotective agents, have shown promising efficacy in both preclinical and clinical studies. These materials are evolving from simple neuroprotectants into a versatile therapeutic platform. The bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive view of the field’s development, distilling key research frontiers—particularly brain cognition and mental health—from a vast body of literature. Although the path from laboratory to clinical application is fraught with challenges, the existing data lay a solid foundation for future clinical research and the development of innovative therapies, pointing to a promising future for magnesium-based materials in brain science.

DOI
10.1007/s11706-025-0745-9