Low brain iron content in idiopathic restless legs syndrome patients detected by phase imaging

ABSTRACT Background The objective of this study was to use phase imaging to evaluate brain iron content in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS). Methods Fifteen RLS patients and 15 healthy controls were studied using gradient‐echo imaging. Phase analysis was performed on localized b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Movement disorders Vol. 28; no. 13; pp. 1886 - 1890
Main Authors: Rizzo, Giovanni, Manners, David, Testa, Claudia, Tonon, Caterina, Vetrugno, Roberto, Marconi, Sara, Plazzi, Giuseppe, Pizza, Fabio, Provini, Federica, Malucelli, Emil, Gramegna, Laura Ludovica, Lodi, Raffaele
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2013
Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
Subjects:
Aged
Brain - metabolism
Female
Humans
iron
Iron - metabolism
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Movement disorders
MRI
phase imaging
Restless Legs Syndrome - pathology
RLS
Statistics, Nonparametric
RLS
iron
MRI
phase imaging
ISSN:0885-3185, 1531-8257, 1531-8257
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:ABSTRACT Background The objective of this study was to use phase imaging to evaluate brain iron content in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS). Methods Fifteen RLS patients and 15 healthy controls were studied using gradient‐echo imaging. Phase analysis was performed on localized brain regions of interest selected on phase maps, sensitive to paramagnetic tissue. Differences between the 2 subject groups were evaluated using ANCOVA including age as a covariate. Results Significantly higher phase values were present in the RLS patients compared with healthy controls at the level of the substantia nigra, thalamus, putamen, and pallidum, indicating reduced iron content in several regions of the brain of the patients. Conclusions We have used MRI phase analysis to study brain iron content in idiopathic RLS in vivo for the first time. Our results support the hypothesis of reduced brain iron content in RLS patients, which may have an important role in the pathophysiology of the disorder. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Bibliography:ark:/67375/WNG-ZK9ZGW9M-3
ArticleID:MDS25576
istex:C2FC5CE38C2DF0E7096E86BF7052A85FA466B41B
Relevant conflicts of interest/financial disclosures
Full financial disclosures and author roles may be found in the online version of this article.
Giovanni Rizzo has received a research grant from the Fondazione Neureca Onlus.
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ISSN:0885-3185
1531-8257
1531-8257
DOI:10.1002/mds.25576