Cited by 238Genetic Neurodegenerative DiseasesNeurological diseases and metabolismAdvanced MRI Techniques and Applications

Myelin breakdown and iron changes in Huntington's disease: pathogenesis and treatment implications

Bartzokis, George, Lu, Po H., Tishler, Todd A., Fong, Sophia M., Oluwadara, Bolanle, Finn, J. Paul, Huang, Danny, Bordelon, Yvette +2 more·2007·Neurochemical Research

Abstract

Background Postmortem and in vivo imaging data support the hypothesis that premature myelin breakdown and subsequent homeostatic remyelination attempts with increased oligodendrocyte and iron levels may contribute to Huntington's Disease (HD) pathogenesis and the symmetrical progress of neuronal loss from earlier-myelinating striatum to later-myelinating regions. A unique combination of in vivo tissue integrity and iron level assessments was used to examine the hypothesis.Methods A method that uses two Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instruments operating at different field-strengths was used to quantify the iron content of ferritin molecules (ferritin iron) as well as tissue integrity in eight regions in 11 HD and a matched group of 27 healthy control subjects. Three white matter regions were selected based on their myelination pattern (early to later-myelinating) and fiber composition. These were frontal lobe white matter (Fwm) and splenium and genu of the corpus callosum (Swm and Gwm). In addition, gray matter structures were also chosen based on their myelination pattern and fiber composition. Three striatum structures were assessed [caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus (C, P, and G)] as well as two comparison gray matter regions that myelinate later in development and are relatively spared in HD [Hippocampus (Hipp) and Thalamus (Th)].Results Compared to healthy controls, HD ferritin iron levels were significantly increased in striatum C, P, and G, decreased in Fwm and Gwm, and were unchanged in Hipp, Th, and Swm. Loss of tissue integrity was observed in C, P, Fwm, and especially Swm but not Hipp, Th, G, or Gwm. This pattern of findings was largely preserved when a small subset of HD subjects early in the disease process was examined.Conclusions The data suggest early in the HD process, myelin breakdown and changes in ferritin iron distribution underlie the pattern of regional toxicity observed in HD. Prospective studies are needed to verify myelin breakdown and increased iron levels are causal factors in HD pathogenesis. Tracking the effects of novel interventions that reduce myelin breakdown and iron accumulation in preclinical stages of HD could hasten the development of preventive treatments.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1007/s11064-007-9352-7

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  • Alterations in brain iron metabolism with increased iron accumulation were identified by MRI in the striata of patients with Huntington's disease and in particular the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus).

    “Alterations in brain iron metabolism with increased iron accumulation were identified by MRI in the striata of patients with Huntington’s disease194 and in particular the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, and globus pallidus).195,196”

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Authors
Bartzokis, G., Lu, P. H., Tishler, T. A., Fong, S. M., Oluwadara, B., Finn, J. P., Huang, D., Bordelon, Y., Mintz, J., & Perlman, S.
Affiliations
University of California, Los Angeles (US)
Corresponding author
Bartzokis, George
Venue
Neurochemical Research
Published
2007-05-05
Volume
32
Issue
10
Pages
1655-1664
ISSN
  • 0364-3190 (ISSN-L)
  • 1573-6903
OpenAlex
W1986646115
Cited by
238
References
94
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 18
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neurochemical Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • National Institutes of Health (5r03mh051928-02)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01AG027342, P50AG016570, AG 16570)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH6357-01A1, MH 51928, MH066029-01A2, R01MH066029)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological diseases and metabolism
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
Keywords
Huntington's disease, myelin breakdown, tissue integrity, remyelination, oligodendrocytes, striatum, corpus callosum, white matter, pathogenesis, preclinical disease, iron accumulation, MRI field strength
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Brain, Brain Chemistry, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Female, Ferritins, Humans, Huntington Disease, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Iron, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Myelin Sheath

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