Microscopic R2* mapping of reduced brain iron in the Belgrade rat.
R2* mapping has recently been used to detect iron overload in patients with movement disorders. We demonstrate here that this technique can also be used to detect reduced brain iron, as in the case of a missense mutation in the iron-transporting protein divalent metal transporter 1. Surprisingly, we found that the same brain regions are affected (ie, the globus pallidus, substantia nigra, and cerebellar dentate nucleus); this suggests a much more extensive role for these structures in regulating overall brain iron homeostasis. Therefore, for the clinical monitoring of movement disorders for which normal brain iron homeostasis (either overload or reduction) may be implicated, R2* mapping appears to be well-suited.
Laboratory of Diagnostic Radiology Research, Clinical Center, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
Holly A
HA
Zywicke
Peter
P
van Gelderen
James R
JR
Connor
Joseph R
JR
Burdo
Michael D
MD
Garrick
Kevin G
KG
Dolan
Joseph A
JA
Frank
Jeff W M
JW
Bulte
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D002529:Cerebellar Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000378:metabolism; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000378:metabolism