NUCLEAR MICROSCOPY IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE

Rats have been subjected to unilateral lesioning with the selective ne urotoxin 6-OHDA in order to induce Parkinsonism. Analysis using the NU S Nuclear Microscope facility have shown that iron levels are raised b y an average of 26% in the lesioned substantia nigra region of the bra in compared with the non-lesioned side. In addition the background tis sue level of iron is also elevated by 31% in the lesioned side, indica ting that there is a general increase in iron levels as a result of th e lesioning. This result is consistent with the other observations tha t other diseases of the brain are frequently associated with altered i ron levels (eg. progressive nuclear palsy, multiple system atrophy, Al zheimers disease, multiple sclerosis).