Iron and the brain: neurotransmitter receptors and magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Earlier studies show that in iron deficiency with anaemia and in latent iro n deficiency neurotransmitters are altered. The changes induced in the feta l brain are irreversible on rehabilitation. The important alterations in gl utamate metabolism in latent iron deficiency stimulated studies on gamma am inobutyric acid and glutaminate receptors. It was observed that binding of H-3-muscimol at pH 7.5 and 1 mg protein/assay increased significantly in sy naptic vesicular membranes and under similar conditions H-3-glutamate bindi ng showed reduction. Thus iron deficiency played a role in both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors. To elucidate the role of body ir on status on the brain, anaemic children with thalassemia and iron deficien cy were subjected to 'magnetic resonance spectroscopy' of globus pallidus, caudate and dentate nuclei and there was no change in iron content. The con centrations of creatinine and aspartate increased, with lowering of choline content. The findings were similar in thalassemia as well as iron deficien cy anaemia, suggesting that in anaemia changes operate through reduced oxyg en availability.