Abstract #2217

QSM-MRI reveals increased brain iron deposition in anemia patients with blood transfusion

Xin Miao¹, Soyoung Choi², Krishna S Nayak^1,3, and John C Wood^1,4

¹Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States, ²Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States, ³Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States, ⁴Cardiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Sickle cell patients identified with high stroke risks and other genetically anemic patients are treated with chronic blood transfusions. Unfortunately, transfusions may cause iron overload. While transfusion-related iron overload has been shown in other major organs, less has been explored whether it impacts brain. This study compares brain iron content measured by quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in 17 healthy controls and 33 patients with sickle cell or other types of anemia. We found significantly higher iron in the putamen of anemia patients receiving blood transfusion. The result of this study can provide insights on the neurological effects of blood transfusions.

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