MRI imaging and histopathological study of brain iron overload of β-thalassemic mice

Brain iron overload is chronic and slow progressing and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful noninvasive tool for determining liver iron content, but it has not been proven to be adequate for evaluating brain iron overload. We evaluated the usefulness of MRI-derived parameters to determine brain iron concentration in β-thalassemic mice and the effects of the membrane permeable iron chelator, deferiprone. Sixteen β-thalassemic mice underwent 1.5 T MRI of the brain that included a multiecho T2*-weighted sequence. Brain T2* values ranged from 28 to 31 ms for thalassemic mice. For the iron overloaded thalassemic mice, brain T2* values decreased, ranging from 8 to 12 ms, which correlated with the iron overload status of the animals. In addition, brain T2* values increased in the group with the treatment of deferiprone, ranging from 18 to 24 ms. Our results may be useful to understand brain pathology in iron overload. Moreover, data could lead to an earlier diagnosis, assist in following disease progression, and demonstrate the benefits of iron chelation therapy.