Abstract #0188

Iron-induced relaxation mechanisms in the human substantia nigra: towards quantifying iron load in dopaminergic neurons

Malte David Brammerloh^1,2, Isabel Weigelt³, Thomas Arendt³, Filippos Gavriilidis², Nico Scherf², Steffen Jankuhn⁴, Markus Morawski³, Nikolaus Weiskopf², and Evgeniya Kirilina²

¹Faculty of Physics and Earth Sciences, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany, ²Department of Neurophysics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany, ³Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany, ⁴Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany

Pathological iron accumulation in the human brain is a biomarker for neurodegeneration. Several diagnostically promising MR-based methods for in vivo iron quantification were proposed, based on the empirical relationship between R₂* and iron concentration. However, these do not account for different chemical forms and cellular distribution of iron. We combined post mortem MRI, advanced quantitative histology and biophysical modeling to develop a generative theory linking obtained iron concentrations to quantitative MR parameters. The impact of nanoscale molecular interaction of water with iron and of iron-rich dopaminergic neurons was quantified in substantia nigra.

How to access this content:

For one year after publication, abstracts and videos are only open to registrants of this annual meeting. Registrants should use their existing login information. Non-registrant access can be purchased via the ISMRM E-Library.

After one year, current ISMRM & ISMRT members get free access to both the abstracts and videos. Non-members and non-registrants must purchase access via the ISMRM E-Library.

After two years, the meeting proceedings (abstracts) are opened to the public and require no login information. Videos remain behind password for access by members, registrants and E-Library customers.

Click here for more information on becoming a member.