BRAIN IRON IN THE FERROCENE-LOADED RAT - ITS CHELATION AND INFLUENCE ON DOPAMINE METABOLISM

After administration of the ferrocene derivative 3,5,5-trimethyl hexan oyl ferrocene to rats for 4 weeks various brain regions including subs tantia nigra, cerebellum and cerebral cortex showed up to 50% increase in iron content. Subsequent administration of one of the hydroxypyrid ones CP20, CP24 and CP94, or the siderophore desferrioxamine caused a significant decrease in the iron content of these various brain region s. Each of the hydroxypyridones and the siderophore influenced dopamin e metabolism by causing significant variations in both homovanillic ac id and dopamine turnover.