Multiple recent studies have been published pertaining to iron accumulation in the brain and a correlating incidence of neurological disorders. Many studies have been published particularly surrounding Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Authored by Zecca et al., Iron, Brain Ageing and Neurodegenerative Disorders, focuses on this correlation.
Iron accumulation has been linked to multiple neurodegenerative diseases; it is believed that the build up iron causes an increased amount of oxidative stress which can be responsible for neurodegeneration. The iron accumulation in the brain increases preferentially in areas that are impacted by AD and PD. Some evidence seems to indicate that the accumulation of iron in the microglia induces the inflammatory response common amongst many neurodegenerative diseases.
In the case of Parkinson's Disease, increased iron accumulation is seen in the substantia nigra in extreme cases. Iron (III) specifically can be seen accumulated in the oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia and portions of the substantia nigra of PD patients. In Alzheimer's Disease, iron seems to promote both deposition of amyloid-B and oxidative stress which are associated with plaque deposition.
This provides a unique link between metabolic needs, nutritional regulation and neurodegenerative diseases.
Reference for the article: http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v5/n11/pdf/nrn1537.pdf
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I tried opening the reference link for the article but i don't have an account or $32 to spend on it. I was wondering if it mentioned how the Iron accumulated in the first place? Where these AD and PD patient suffering from high levels of Iron in their dieting which then led to the findings? Was there any link to any other types of metals that we find in our diet ie Mg, Na, etc.? It is interesting that iron particularly when accumulation in the brain results in multiple neurodegenerative diseases.
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