Investigation of the association between cerebral iron content and myelin content in normative aging using quantitative magnetic resonance neuroimaging

Myelin loss and iron accumulation are cardinal features of aging and various neurodegenerative diseases. Oligodendrocytes incorporate iron as a metabolic substrate for myelin synthesis and maintenance. An emerging hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease research suggests that myelin breakdown releases substantial stores of iron that may accumulate, leading to further myelin breakdown and neurodegeneration. We assessed associations between iron content and myelin content in critical brain regions using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a cohort of cognitively unimpaired adults ranging in age from 21 to 94 years. We measured whole-brain myelin water fraction (MWF), a surrogate of myelin content, using multicomponent relaxometry, and whole-brain iron content using susceptibility weighted imaging in all individuals. MWF was negatively associated with iron content in most brain regions evaluated indicating that lower myelin content corresponds to higher iron content. Moreover, iron content was significantly higher with advanced age in most structures, with men exhibiting a trend towards higher iron content as compared to women. Finally, relationship between MWF and age, in all brain regions investigated, suggests that brain myelination continues until middle age, followed by degeneration at older ages. This work establishes a foundation for further investigations of the etiology and sequelae of myelin breakdown and iron accumulation in neurodegeneration and may lead to new imaging markers for disease progression and treatment.

Automated summary

The study found that increased iron content in the brain is associated with decreased myelin content, with iron content significantly higher in most structures with advanced age, and a trend towards higher iron content in men compared to women. Brain myelination continues until middle age, followed by degeneration at older ages.