Particle.news

Download on the App Store

New Study Links Concussions to Increased Brain Iron Levels

Researchers find that individuals with concussions exhibit higher iron accumulation in the brain, potentially serving as a biomarker for brain injury.

They also found that the more time that had passed since the concussion occurred, the more likely people were to have higher levels of iron accumulation in areas of the brain. Credit: Neuroscience News
Image
Human brain injury (© Crystal light - stock.adobe.com)

Overview

  • A recent study reveals that headaches following concussions may indicate higher levels of iron in the brain, suggesting potential brain cell injury.
  • The research, involving 60 individuals with post-traumatic headaches from mild traumatic brain injuries, compared to 60 without, shows significant iron accumulation in certain brain areas.
  • Increased iron levels were notably found in the left occipital area, right cerebellum, and right temporal lobe, correlating with the number of concussions and frequency of headaches.
  • The study suggests that iron accumulation could serve as a biomarker for concussion and post-traumatic headache, aiding in understanding the underlying processes.
  • Findings also indicate that the longer the time since the concussion, the higher the likelihood of increased iron accumulation in the brain.