In vivo detection of iron and Neuromelanin by transcranial sonography: a new approach for early detection of substantia nigra damage
Abstract
Early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) in nonsymptomatic patients is a key issue. An increased echogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) was found previously in Parkinsonian patients and in a low percentage of healthy adults. These nonsymptomatic subjects also showed a reduced 18F-dopa uptake in striatum, suggesting a preclinical injury of the nigrostriatal system that could later proceed into PD. To investigate the ability of ultrasonography to detect markers of SN degeneration, such as iron deposition and neuromelanin depletion, we scanned postmortem brains from normal subjects at different ages by ultrasound and measured the echogenic area of the SN. The SN was then dissected and used for histological examinations and determination of iron, ferritin, and neuromelanin content. A significant positive correlation was found between the echogenic area of the SN and the concentration of iron, H- and L-ferritins. Multivariate analysis carried out considering the iron content showed a significant negative correlation between echogenicity and neuromelanin content of the SN. In PD, a typical loss of neuromelanin and increase of iron is observed in this brain area. The finding of a positive correlation between iron and ferritin levels and a negative correlation of neuromelanin content with the area of echogenicity at the SN could therefore provide an interesting basis for diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up studies in PD.
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A positive association between iron and ferritin concentrations, and a negative association of neuromelanin content with the area of echogenicity of the substantia nigra could provide a basis for diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up studies in patients with Parkinson's disease.
“A positive association between iron and ferritin concentrations, and a negative association of neuromelanin content with the area of echogenicity of the substantia nigra could therefore provide a basis for diagnosis and therapeutic follow-up studies in patients with Parkinson’s disease.153”
From The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders (2014) · cites this paper as [153]
Ultrasound investigation of post-mortem brains from healthy individuals showed a positive correlation between the echogenic area of the substantia nigra and concentration of iron and heavy and light chain ferritin, and a negative correlation between echogenicity and neuromelanin content of the substantia nigra.
“Ultrasound investigation of post-mortem brains from healthy individuals showed a positive correlation between the echogenic area of the substantia nigra and concentration of iron and heavy and light chain ferritin, and a negative correlation between echogenicity and neuromelanin content of the substantia nigra.”
From The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders (2014) · cites this paper as [153]
In Parkinson's disease, loss of neuromelanin and an increase in iron concentration is noted in the substantia nigra.
“In Parkinson’s disease, loss of neuromelanin and an increase in iron concentration is noted in the substantia nigra.”
From The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders (2014) · cites this paper as [153]
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The role of iron in brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders
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- Authors
- Zecca, L., Berg, D., Arzberger, T., Ruprecht, P., Rausch, W. D., Musicco, M., Tampellini, D., Riederer, P., Gerlach, M., & Becker, G.
- Affiliations
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies (IT)
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (DE)
- University of Würzburg (DE)
- Saarland University (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Berg, Daniela
- Venue
- Movement Disorders
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2005-06-28
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1278-1285
- ISSN
- 0885-3185 (ISSN-L)
- 1531-8257
- OpenAlex
- W2124100859
- Cited by
- 214
- References
- 54
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 9.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Movement Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological diseases and metabolism
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Neurological disorders and treatments
- Keywords
- Parkinson's disease, substantia nigra, transcranial ultrasound, iron accumulation, neuromelanin, ferritin, nigrostriatal degeneration, preclinical Parkinson's disease, early diagnosis, postmortem brain, ultrasonography
- MeSH terms
- Apoferritins, Female, Ferritins, Humans, Iron, Male, Melanins, Middle Aged, Nerve Degeneration, Parkinson Disease, Substantia Nigra, Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial, Radiopharmaceuticals, Fluorodeoxyglucose F18, Early Diagnosis
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