Iron and multiple sclerosis -- International Conference on Nutrition and the Brain, 2014

Abstract
Iron is essential for normal cellular functioning of the central nervous system. Abnormalities in iron metabolism may lead to neuronal death and abnormal iron deposition in the brain. Several studies have suggested a link between brain iron deposition in normal aging and chronic neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). In MS, it is still not clear whether iron deposition is an epiphenomenon or a mediator of disease processes. In this review, the role of iron in the pathophysiology of MS will be summarized. In addition, the importance of conventional and advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques in the characterization of brain iron deposition in MS will be reviewed. Although there is currently not enough evidence to support clinical use of iron chelation in MS, an overview of studies of iron chelation or antioxidant therapies will be also provided.

"....8 Conclusions
We have reviewed the physiology of iron metabolism and the role of abnormal brain iron deposition in MS. We have seen that although iron is vital for normal neuronal processes, abnormal iron accumulation may cause neurodegeneration through lipid peroxidation and cell death in the brain. Human MRI studies reported an association between abnormal brain iron deposition and clinical dysfunction in MS patients. It remains to be elucidated whether iron deposition is a marker or mediator of the destructive cascade in MS. Future studies incorporating newer pulse sequences, multimodal MRI in conjunction with histopathologic assessments, and novel postprocessing techniques should shed light on mechanisms responsible for abnormal iron deposition and on its role in the pathogenesis of MS. Animal models of MS have shown a neuroprotective effect by either iron chelation or antioxidants; however, in MS patients, the effectiveness of these pharmacologic modification is still debatable and requires further investigation." full paper: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197458014003571

Iron is essential for normal cellular functioning of the central nervous system. Abnormalities in iron metabolism may lead to neuronal death and abnormal iron deposition in the brain. Several studies have suggested a link between brain iron deposition in normal aging and chronic neurologic diseases,...