The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders

Ward, Roberta;Zucca, Fabio A;Duyn, Jeff H;Crichton, Robert;Zecca, Luigi
(2014) The Lancet Neurology — Vol. 13, n° 10, p. 1045-1060 (2014)

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Authors
  • Ward, RobertaUCLouvain
    Author
  • Zucca, Fabio AInstitute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, Segrate, Milan, Italy
    Author
  • Duyn, Jeff HAdvanced MRI Section, Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
    Author
  • Crichton, RobertUCLouvain
    Author
  • Zecca, LuigiInstitute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council of Italy, Segrate, Milan, Italy
    Author
Abstract
In the CNS, iron in several proteins is involved in many important processes such as oxygen transportation, oxidative phosphorylation, myelin production, and the synthesis and metabolism of neurotransmitters. Abnormal iron homoeostasis can induce cellular damage through hydroxyl radical production, which can cause the oxidation and modification of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. During ageing, different iron complexes accumulate in brain regions associated with motor and cognitive impairment. In various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, changes in iron homoeostasis result in altered cellular iron distribution and accumulation. MRI can often identify these changes, thus providing a potential diagnostic biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases. An important avenue to reduce iron accumulation is the use of iron chelators that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, penetrate cells, and reduce excessive iron accumulation, thereby affording neuroprotection.
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Ward, R., Zucca, F. A., Duyn, J. H., Crichton, R., & Zecca, L. (2014). The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. The Lancet Neurology, 13(10), 1045-1060. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70117-6 (Original work published 2014)