Substantia nigra echogenicity in Parkinson%26apos;s disease: relation to serum iron and C-reactive protein

作者：Walter Uwe^*; Witt Rike; Wolters Alexander; Wittstock Matthias; Benecke Reiner

来源：Journal of Neural Transmission, 2012, 119(1): 53-57.

DOI：10.1007/s00702-011-0664-z

• Parkinson%26apos
• s disease
• Chronic inflammation
• Iron metabolism
• Substantia nigra
• Transcranial ultrasound

In Parkinson%26apos;s disease (PD), substantia nigra hyperechogenicity (SN-h) has been related to both, local iron accumulation and microglia activation. We analysed its relationship in PD patients with serum iron (n = 31) and C-reactive protein (CRP; n = 193). SN-h correlated with lower CRP and iron levels. Also, patients with a first-degree relative with PD had lower iron levels. Microglia activation, if reflected by SN-h, may be therefore unrelated to serum CRP. Findings support the idea that SN-h indicates inherited alteration of iron metabolism.

• 出版日期2012-1