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4w ago

MRI Measure of Brain Iron Predicts Future Cognitive Decline, Radiology Study Finds

A prospective study of 158 older adults reported that elevated iron in memory-related brain regions predicted later mild cognitive impairment, with greater risk in those showing amyloid buildup.

If confirmed in larger studies with more diverse patient populations, the findings point to a role for QSM MRI in the workup of patients at risk of dementia. Credit: Neuroscience News

Overview

  • Researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping MRI at baseline in the BIOCARD cohort and tracked participants for up to about 7.5 years.
  • Higher magnetic susceptibility in the entorhinal cortex and putamen was linked to progression to mild cognitive impairment and faster cognitive decline.
  • Positron emission tomography amyloid data were available for 110 participants, and elevated iron with amyloid burden showed synergistic acceleration of global decline.
  • QSM provides a noninvasive estimate of regional brain iron and is positioned as a potential tool for risk stratification, trial enrichment, and exploration of iron-targeted therapies.
  • The Johns Hopkins–led team and commentators urged validation in larger, more diverse cohorts and standardization of QSM methods before routine clinical adoption.