Iron accumulation in the substantia nigra in rats visualized by ultrasound

Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in Polish patients with Parkinson’s disease

“…TCS of post-mortem brains and animal studies indicate that this abnormality may be related to iron deposition with formation of free radicals [7,9].…”

Transcranial Sonography in Movement Disorders

“…The iron content in the SN was assessed using spectroscopy and the echogenicity of SN was measured as well. Increasing iron content increased the echogenicity of SN 14 . It is possible that a hyperechogenic and enlarged SN in atypical syndromes like MSA (multiple system atrophy) and VP (vascular parkinsonism) is caused by this mechanism.…”

“…It has a sensitivity of about 90 % and specifi city of about 90 % (ref. [14][15][16][17][18] ) -see Table 1. The fi rst evaluations of the substantia nigra in PD patients were published in 1995.…”

“…It is possible that a hyperechogenic and enlarged SN in atypical syndromes like MSA (multiple system atrophy) and VP (vascular parkinsonism) is caused by this mechanism. Reasons for development of variable iron metabolism impairments in these parkinsonian syndromes will be the topic of further research 14 . Neuronal degeneration in the SN region could also be induced by toxic exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, by basal ganglia injury or by oxidative damage 5,14 .…”

“…Reasons for development of variable iron metabolism impairments in these parkinsonian syndromes will be the topic of further research 14 . Neuronal degeneration in the SN region could also be induced by toxic exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, by basal ganglia injury or by oxidative damage 5,14 . The authors speculate about the possible contribution of pure SN atrophy 19 .…”