Restless legs syndrome and low brain iron levels in patients with haemochromatosis.
Regional brain iron levels of two patients with haemochromatosis and severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) were assessed using R2' magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences in both patients and in nine healthy controls. R2' relaxation rates in the patients were decreased in the substantia nigra, red nucleus, and pallidum when compared with the controls. These results indicate that local brain iron deficiency may occur in patients with haemochromatosis and suggest a role for brain iron metabolism in the pathophysiology of RLS.
Haba-Rubio
J
J
Institute for Research in Neurosciences and Neuropsychiatry, Rouffach, France. Jose.HabaRubio@hcuge.ch
Staner
L
L
Petiau
C
C
Erb
G
G
Schunck
T
T
Macher
J P
JP
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D002421:Caudate Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000378:metabolism; D005917:Globus Pallidus / Q000473:pathology; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D011699:Putamen / Q000473:pathology; D012012:Red Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000473:pathology
C103673:HFE protein, human; D000071020:Hemochromatosis Protein; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron