This paper below is free. The main issue is " Intriguingly however, iron substantially contributes to and drives many aspects of neurodegeneration, plus, genetic modification of iron metabolism resulted in rescue of neurodegeneration in different animal models, indicating a causal role of iron in neurodegenerative disorders. "

Front Neurosci. 2019 Mar 1;13:180. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00180. eCollection 2019.

Iron in Neurodegeneration - Cause or Consequence?

Ndayisaba A¹, Kaindlstorfer C¹, Wenning GK¹.

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Abstract

Iron dyshomeostasis can cause neuronal damage to iron-sensitive brain regions. Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation reflects a group of disorders caused by iron overload in the basal ganglia. High iron levels and iron related pathogenic triggers have also been implicated in sporadic neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Iron-induced dyshomeostasis within vulnerable brain regions is still insufficiently understood. Here, we summarize the modes of action by which iron might act as primary or secondary disease trigger in neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, available treatment options targeting brain iron dysregulation and the use of iron as biomarker in prodromal stages are critically discussed to address the question of cause or consequence.