Iron Deficiency and Overload

Abstract

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain imaging at high field strengths can demonstrate regions of high iron deposition in the brain. • Iron deposits are present in all normal adult brains, but increased or decreased iron deposition may serve as a biomarker of brain diseases. • Several rare genetic disorders are now known which have marked increases in brain iron. The specific mutations associated with these are known, and MRI can demonstrate the abnormal iron deposition with remarkable clarity. • Brain iron may play a role in many common neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This may permit the use of MRI of brain iron as a biomarker for the presence and progression of these diseases. • New MRI scanners operating at very high magnetic field strengths are becoming available and permit greatly improved clarity in brain iron images.