The role of iron in brain following subarachnoid hemorrhage

Abstract

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious disease causing high morbidity and mortality during early and delayed period. The exact mechanisms underlying brain injury are not fully identified. Recently, experimental studies have revealed that increased subarachnoid hemoglobin and its degradation product iron may play an important role in secondary brain injury following SAH. Treatment with an iron chelator has been proven to reduce brain edema, cerebral vasospasm, and neuronal cell death in a rat model of SAH. Therefore, increased iron deposition perivascular as well as in the brain tissue following subarachnoid hemoglobin degradation may be a therapeutic target for SAH patients.