New Study: Iron Levels in Brain Linked to Disability
July 18, 2018
Researchers used novel MRI imaging to measure iron levels in different areas of the brain in 600 people with MS. They reported that people with longer disease duration and more disability tended to have higher iron levels in the region called the basal ganglia (associated with movement) and lower levels in the region called the thalamus (related to the senses). More research is needed to understand whether iron abnormalities contribute to nervous system damage, and whether this imaging method will someday help predict a person’s disease course.
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Read the paper in Radiology
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.