Brain iron deposition in neurodegenerative disorders examined by MRI T2 relaxometry, pathology and biochemistry: comparative study

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Signal alterations could be shown in T2 relaxometry on MRI (MRR) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients in the anatomical area of the substantia nigra (SN). The findings seem to correspond to alterations in tissue echogenicity of the respective regions on transcranial ultrasound (TCS). Although changes in tissue iron content have been discussed as one reason for the neuroimaging alterations, it is not clear to what extent this heavy metal contributes to the changes or whether other factors may play a role. The aim of the proposed project is to investigate the SN iron content in different neurodegenerative disorders (e.g. idiopathic PD and atypical parkinsonian diseases (APD)) by MRR, TCS and corresponding histopathological examinations in comparison to healthy controls. The study of tissues will show the amount of iron, the type of iron storage and the kind of protein iron binding (Fe II, Fe III and iron bound to Neuromelanin) and correlate these findings with the appearance in the different imaging techniques. This will help us to understand the specific pathophysiology of the respective disorders and show the possibilities of MRR as well as TCS in detecting the respective role of iron, which may lead to earlier diagnosis and subsequent neuroprotective treatment strategies.