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Iron in Deep Gray Matter, Tissue Injury Linked

J Neuroimaging; ePub 2016 May 30; Bergsland, et al

Publish date:: June 7, 2016

Increased iron concentration in the deep gray matter of the brain is associated with decreased tissue integrity of the connected white matter in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, according to a recent study. Researchers investigated 66 MS patients (mean age 50.0 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale 5.25, mean disease duration 19.1 years) and 29 healthy controls, group matched for age and sex. They found:

• Areas indicative of increased iron levels were found in the left and right caudates as well as the left thalamus.

• MS patients presented with decreased measures of tissue integrity in the associated white matter tracts.

• Greater mean, axial, and radial diffusivities were associated with increased iron levels in all 3 gray matter areas.

Citation: Bergsland N, Tavazzi E, Laganà MM, et al. White matter tract injury is associated with deep gray matter iron deposition in multiple sclerosis. [Published online ahead of print May 30, 2016]. J Neuroimaging. doi:10.1111/jon.12364.

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