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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
Serum iron concentration is associated with subcortical deep gray matter iron levels in multiple sclerosis patients
Niels Bergsland1, Simone Agostini, Maria M Laganà
1aIRCCS, Don Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS bDepartment of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milano, Milan, Italy cDepartment of Neurology, Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Iron deposition has been noted widely in the subcortical deep gray matter (SDGM) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Recent evidence suggests that serum iron may cross the blood-brain barrier and might be associated with SDGM iron deposition. The aim of the current study was to assess whether an iron-sensitive MRI measure is related to serum iron concentrations. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of 22 MS patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs), group matched for age and sex. Participants were imaged on a 1.5-T MRI scanner. High-resolution T1-weighted images and susceptibility-weighted images were acquired for assessing SDGM volumes and iron deposition within the SDGM, respectively. All participants also had blood drawn for the measurement of serum iron concentrations. MS and HC groups were compared with respect to SDGM tissue volumes and iron content. Partial correlations, controlling for age, sex, and structural volume, were used to assess the relationship between serum iron and SDGM iron content. MS patients presented with significantly smaller SDGM tissue volumes of the caudate, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus (all P≤0.0001). With respect to HCs, increased iron content was observed for MS patients in the globus pallidus (P=0.009) only. In MS patients only, there was a significant relationship between serum iron and putaminal iron volume (partial r=0.449, P=0.041), whereas trends were evidenced for the caudate (partial r=0.396, P=0.078) and the globus pallidus (partial r=0.410, P=0.065). Serum iron content in MS patients may be related to SDGM iron content. These results warrant confirmation in a larger study of MS patients.
Insights
Serum iron levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may correlate with iron buildup in deep gray matter. This finding suggests a potential link between systemic iron and neurological iron deposition in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Iron deposition is prevalent in the subcortical deep gray matter (SDGM) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- Emerging evidence suggests serum iron may influence SDGM iron accumulation by crossing the blood-brain barrier.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between serum iron concentrations and iron deposition in the SDGM using an iron-sensitive MRI measure in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective, cross-sectional study involving 22 MS patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs).
- MRI scans (1.5-T) including T1-weighted and susceptibility-weighted images were used to assess SDGM volumes and iron content.
- Serum iron concentrations were measured, and partial correlations controlled for age, sex, and volume were calculated.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly smaller SDGM tissue volumes in the caudate, globus pallidus, putamen, and thalamus compared to HCs.
- Increased iron content was observed in the globus pallidus of MS patients relative to HCs.
- In MS patients, serum iron concentration was significantly associated with putaminal iron volume, with trends noted for the caudate and globus pallidus.
Conclusions:
- Serum iron levels may be linked to iron deposition within the SDGM in individuals with MS.
- Further validation in larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings.
