How iron can drive neurodegeneration

Iron overload in neurodegenerative diseases is well established but of uncertain significance. In a recent article, Ryan et al. reveal that microglia are especially vulnerable to iron overload-induced ferroptosis. Their evidence for microglial ferroptosis in clinical specimens indicates that ferroptosis inhibitors may hold therapeutic promise for these diseases.

Automated summary

Iron overload has been recognized as a factor in neurodegenerative diseases, with microglia being particularly susceptible to iron overload-induced ferroptosis, as revealed by recent research. The evidence of microglial ferroptosis in clinical specimens suggests that inhibitors of ferroptosis may have therapeutic potential for these diseases.