Iron and Neurotransmitter Function in the Brain

Abstract

Iron involvement in basic cell functions as well as in many human diseases has been described in excellent reviews (see, for example, Lauffer, 1992). Neural cells, like any other cell type, require iron for DNA synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, and other vitally important reactions. They are, on the other hand, susceptible to iron toxicity caused by iron overload. But the most remarkable characteristic of neural cells is observed only on the metacellular level: Neurons are organized in a network, which is used for collecting and analyzing of incoming information and producing an adequate response. This response can include regulation of non-neuronal systems.