CNS Neurosci Ther

. 2025 Mar;31(3):e70359.

doi: 10.1111/cns.70359.

Gradients of Nigrostriatal Iron Deposition in Healthy Aging and Synucleinopathies

Jiaqi Wen ^{1 2}, Tao Guo ^{1 2}, Xiaojie Duanmu ^{1 2}, Chenqing Wu ^{1 2}, Haoting Wu ^{1 2}, Cheng Zhou ^{1 2}, Qianshi Zheng ^{1 2}, Weijin Yuan ^{1 2}, Jianmei Qin ^{1 2}, Zihao Zhu ^{1 2}, Jingjing Wu ^{1 2}, Jingwen Chen ^{1 2}, Jingjing Xu ^{1 2}, Yaping Yan ³, Jun Tian ³, Baorong Zhang ³, Hongjian He ⁴, Minming Zhang ^{1 2}, Xiaojun Guan ^{1 2}, Xiaojun Xu ^{1 2}

Affiliations Expand

• PMID: 40130468

PMCID: PMC11933852 DOI: 10.1111/cns.70359

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the gradients of nigrostriatal iron deposition in aging, Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Methods: This study included 100 young healthy controls, 171 old healthy controls (OHC), 231 PD, and 24 MSA patients. The brain iron content was quantified by quantitative susceptibility mapping. A spatial function method was employed to map the iron gradient along the principal axis of the subcortical structure. General linear models were used to compare differences in iron gradients between groups. Partial correlation was used to analyze the relationship between iron content and symptoms of synucleinopathies.

Results: Nigrostriatal iron deposition in all gradient directions was observed during aging (p < 0.05). Compared to OHC, iron deposition was significant in nearly all substantia nigra (SN) segments in both PD and MSA (p < 0.05). MSA showed significant iron deposition in the posterolateral putamen compared to PD (p < 0.05). Iron deposition in the SN in PD and putamen in MSA correlated with disease severity.

Conclusion: Iron deposition in all gradient directions occurred in the nigrostriatal system during healthy aging, and this was more evident in the SN in both PD and MSA, with MSA displaying additional iron deposition in the posterolateral putamen.

The info in this paper is similar to what ATH usually presents at the beginning of their presentation, but here the data is based on a much bigger population, including healthy people. To read the paper, click here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cns.70359