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A number of studies have been done on the relationship between magnesium deficiency and migraine. Some excerpts from Medline abstracts are listed below:

Ferrari MD; Biochemistry of migraine; Pathol Biol (Paris) 1992 Apr;40(4).
The author discusses changes in neuroexcitatory amino acids and magnesium, which may reflect a predisposition of the migraine patient, notably those having attacks with aura, to develop spreading depression.

Gallai V, Sarchielli P, Morucci P, Abbritti G; Magnesium content of mononuclear blood cells in migraine patients; Headache 1994 Mar;34(3):160-5.
The migraine patients studied had a reduced mononuclear magnesium content compared to age-matched healthy control subjects. The authors say that the lower magnesium content in mononuclear cells could indirectly indicate the reduction of brain magnesium concentration, which has recently been demonstrated in the course of migraine.

Gallai V, Sarchielli P, Morucci P, Abbritti G; Red blood cell magnesium levels in migraine patients; Cephalalgia 1993 Apr;13(2):94-81; discussion 73
The authors believe that low red blood cell magnesium levels could be a peripheral expression of the reduced brain magnesium concentration observed in migraine patients.

Gallai V, Sarchielli P, Coata G, Firenze C, Morucci P, Abbritti G; Serum and salivary magnesium levels in migraine: Results in a group of juvenile patients; Headache 1992 Mar;32(3):132-5
“In the last few years a fundamental role for magnesium in establishing the threshold for migraine attacks and involvement in the pathophysiologic mechanisms related to its onset has become evident. In comparison with normal subjects, migraine patients had lower levels of serum and salivary magnesium interictally. Serum magnesium levels tended to be further reduced during attacks (which) could be an expression, at the peripheral level, of reduced cerebral magnesium levels which would contribute, at least in part, to defining the threshold for migraine attacks.”

Sarchielli P, Coata G, Firenze, Morucci P, Abbritti G, Gallai V; Serum and salivary magnesium levels in migraine and tension-type headache. Results in a group of adult patients.Cephalalgia 1992 Feb;12(1):21-7.
The authors state that serum magnesium levels and to a lesser extent salivary magnesium levels might express indirectly the lowering of brain extracellular magnesium concentration which occurs in migraine patients.

Taubert K; [Magnesium in migraine. Results of a multicenter pilot study]; Fortschr Med 1994 Aug 30;112(24):328-30.
The hypothesis that magnesium may be useful in the prevention of migraine attacks has been confirmed by this pilot study. Further studies are in preparation.

Thomas J, Thomas E, Tomb E; Serum and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations and migraine; Magnes Res 1992 Jun;5(2):127-30.
“The findings support the hypothesis of a magnesium deficit in people suffering from migraine and raise the problem of the relationship between migraine and other pathologies, including chronic magnesium deficit, latent tetany due to magnesium deficit, mitral valve prolapse, and allergy.”

Thomas J, Tomb E, Thomas E, Faure G; Migraine treatment by oral magnesium intake and correction of the irritation of buccofacial and cervical muscles as a side effect of mandibular imbalance; Magnes Res 1994 Jun;7(2):123-7.
This study shows that migraine patients have a magnesium deficit, which, while not constant, is a frequent occurrence.

Welch KM, Barkley GL, Tepley N, Ramadan NM; Central neurogenic mechanisms of migraine; Neurology 1993 Jun;43(6 Suppl 3):S21-5.
This study indicates that low intracellular brain magnesium concentration may be the link between the physiologic threshold for migraine and the attack itself.

Welch KM, Barkley GL, Ramadan NM, D’Andrea G; NMR spectroscopic and magnetoencephalographic studies in migraine with aura: support for the spreading depression hypothesis; Pathol Biol (Paris) 1992 Apr;40(4):349-54.
“The authors propose that patients who suffer from migraine with aura have a susceptibility to spontaneous neuronal discharges and subsequent spreading depression…hypersusceptibility is supported by increased turnover of high-energy phosphates, low intracellular Mg2+ and large amplitude depolarizing waves on magnetoencephalography .”

Perhaps oral magnesium supplementation should be a part of treatment for migraine as a preventive.

Suggestions for treating physicians to advise migraine patients to consume at least 6 mg magnesium per day for each kilogram of body weight. An even higher intake of 10 mg/day per Kg of body weight may be desirable provided that it does not trigger a laxative effect. Breaking the dosage into three or four parts taken at different times of day helps prevent laxative effect. Magnesium hydroxide is NOT recommended because of poor bioavailability and because little is known of any instance of it having any beneficial use other than as a laxative.
Other Mg compounds appear to be better, including Mg oxide, Mg sulphate, and Mg citrate. Natural magnesium in water (magnesium carbonate dissolved in CO2-rich water) is 30% more bio-available than Mg in food or pill, and offers much greater cardio-protection. If pills are used, it has been suggested that chelated minerals work best in the Krebs cycle, with several Mg compounds; this gives greater bio- availability, and doesn’t upset the stomach.

Additional References

Consequences of Magnesium Deficiency on the Enhancement of Stress Reactions; Preventive and Therapeutic Implications (A Review); Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 13, No. 5, 429-446 (1994)
Interrelationship of Magnesium and Estrogen in Cardiovascular and Bone Disorders, Eclampsia, Migraine and Premenstrual Syndrome; Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol 12, No. 4, 442-458 (1993)
Magnesium in Oncogenesis and in Anti-Cancer Treatment: Interaction With Minerals and Vitamins. Adjuvant Nutrition in Cancer Treatment, Eds. P.Quillan and R. M. Williams. Publ Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, 1993. Chapt 15:283-318
Reexamination of Magnesium Infusions in Myocardial Infarction; American Journal of Cardiology 76:172-173, 1995
Prenatal and Genetic Magnesium Deficiency in Cardiomyopathy: Possible Vitamin and Trace Mineral Interactions; Childhood Nutrition, F Lifshitz, ed. Boca Raton, FL 1995, Chapt 17:197-224
Cardiovascular Consequences of Magnesium Deficiency and Loss: Pathogenesis, Prevalence and Manifestations–Magnesium and Chloride Loss in Refractory Potassium Repletion; American Journal of Cardiology 63:4G-21G, 1989.