Iron in the brain is not new!
Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 3:25 am
I found an interesting article in The Neuroscientist (website) written by Domingo Pinero and James R. Conner (the latter publishes his email in the article- if interested, we can email him for more info- jrc3@psu.edu).
The article states that iron is an important contributor in normal AND diseased states. Iron is essential for normal neurological function; interestingly enough, iron is a cofactor in synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin.
However, iron is also the most important inducer of "reactive oxidative species". The writers state that "relation of iron to neurodegenerative processes is more appreciated today."
What I found most interesting in the article is that "brain iron concentrations are not static; they increase with age and in many diseases and DECREASE when iron is deficient in the diet."
The reason this strikes a cord with me is the potential support of the circulatory hypothesis. Circulation does become poorer with age in the healthiest of individuals; as such, we can theorize that a condition such as CCSVI would create poor circulation of a very unique nature that would deposit excess iron in the brain (as Dr. Zamboni's theory states).
But this is the most important part- brain iron concentrations DECREASE when iron is dificient in the diet. To me, that means that the less iron in the blood, the less is deposited in the brain. The more we open the flow, the LESS blood (and therefore iron) is in the brain- and the iron deposits will decrease.
The authors do state that "MS warrants study in relatin to iron availability. Myelin synthesis and maintenance have a high iron requirement; thus ogliodendrocytes must have a relatively high and constant supply of iron. However, high oxygen utilization, high density of lipids and high iron content of white matter all combine to increase risk of oxidative damage.
This article was not written in support of CCSVI or any other theory- but it seems to support both. Should I assume that neuros don't read The Neuroscientist, either?
The article states that iron is an important contributor in normal AND diseased states. Iron is essential for normal neurological function; interestingly enough, iron is a cofactor in synthesis of neurotransmitters and myelin.
However, iron is also the most important inducer of "reactive oxidative species". The writers state that "relation of iron to neurodegenerative processes is more appreciated today."
What I found most interesting in the article is that "brain iron concentrations are not static; they increase with age and in many diseases and DECREASE when iron is deficient in the diet."
The reason this strikes a cord with me is the potential support of the circulatory hypothesis. Circulation does become poorer with age in the healthiest of individuals; as such, we can theorize that a condition such as CCSVI would create poor circulation of a very unique nature that would deposit excess iron in the brain (as Dr. Zamboni's theory states).
But this is the most important part- brain iron concentrations DECREASE when iron is dificient in the diet. To me, that means that the less iron in the blood, the less is deposited in the brain. The more we open the flow, the LESS blood (and therefore iron) is in the brain- and the iron deposits will decrease.
The authors do state that "MS warrants study in relatin to iron availability. Myelin synthesis and maintenance have a high iron requirement; thus ogliodendrocytes must have a relatively high and constant supply of iron. However, high oxygen utilization, high density of lipids and high iron content of white matter all combine to increase risk of oxidative damage.
This article was not written in support of CCSVI or any other theory- but it seems to support both. Should I assume that neuros don't read The Neuroscientist, either?