Systematic Review: Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) of Brain Iron Profile in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Iron has been increasingly implicated in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. In the past decade, development of the new magnetic resonance imaging technique, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), has enabled for the more comprehensive investigation of iron distribution in the brain. The aim of this systematic review was to provide a synthesis of the findings from existing QSM studies in neurodegenerative diseases. We identified 80 records by searching MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases. The disorders investigated in these studies included Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Wilson's disease, Huntington's disease, Friedreich's ataxia, spinocerebellar ataxia, Fabry disease, myotonic dystrophy, pantothenate-kinase-associated neurodegeneration, and mitochondrial membrane protein-associated neurodegeneration. As a general pattern, QSM revealed increased magnetic susceptibility (suggestive of increased iron content) in the brain regions associated with the pathology of each disorder, such as the amygdala and caudate nucleus in Alzheimer's disease, the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease, motor cortex in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, basal ganglia in Huntington's disease, and cerebellar dentate nucleus in Friedreich's ataxia. Furthermore, the increased magnetic susceptibility correlated with disease duration and severity of clinical features in some disorders. Although the number of studies is still limited in most of the neurodegenerative diseases, the existing evidence suggests that QSM can be a promising tool in the investigation of neurodegeneration.

Baseline maps of potentially toxic elements in the soils of Garhwal Himalayas, India: Assessment of their eco‐environmental and human health risks

“…These histological and stain findings, which are characteristic of Zr skin lesions and granulomas, suggest Zr interstitial lung disease. Researchers (e.g., Cabral Pinto, et al, 2019; Mezzaroba, et al, 2019; Martins, et al, 2020; Soares, et al, 2020; Ajsuvakova, et al, 2020; Exley & Clarkson, 2020; McDonald, et al, 2021; Xu et al, 2021; Capriello, et al, 2021; Ravanfar, et al, 2021)) are working on exposure of other (heavy) metal (e.g., Al, Fe, and Mn) linked to neurological disorders and diseases, such Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. The map distribution of HI is presented in Figure 6, with all samples above the target value of 1.…”

“…Liu, et al (2017) described a nonsmoking ceramic tile worker who developed a sarcoid granulomatosis type of chronic pulmonary hypersensitivity reaction after long-term exposure to Zr and causes an acute and fulminant allergic alveolitis. Romeu, et al (1992) found interstitial lung Pinto, et al, 2019;Mezzaroba, et al, 2019;Martins, et al, 2020;Soares, et al, 2020;Ajsuvakova, et al, 2020;Exley & Clarkson, 2020;McDonald, et al, 2021;Xu et al, 2021;Capriello, et al, 2021;Ravanfar, et al, 2021)) are working on exposure of other (heavy) metal (e.g., Al, Fe, and Mn) linked to neurological disorders and diseases, such Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. The map distribution of HI is presented in Figure 6, with all samples above the target value of 1.…”

Frontotemporal Pathology in Motor Neuron Disease Phenotypes: Insights From Neuroimaging

“…These methods have proven particularly useful to differentiate clinical phenotypes and map longitudinal changes in neurodegenerative disorders (7,271). Novel MRI pulse sequences, non-Gaussian diffusion models such as DKI or NODDI, quantitative susceptibility mapping, and multi-voxel spectroscopy are just some of the promising new tools enriching our armamentarium of imaging tools (272)(273)(274). While these methods continue to be tested in the research community they have not been implemented in routine clinical radiology protocols (275).…”

Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Biomarkers for Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…A growing body of evidence also suggests the role of excess iron deposition in the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases. Quantitative susceptibility mapping is a promising imaging technique for the comprehensive investigation of iron distribution in the brain [ 152 ]. The use of the diffusion tensor-relaxometry framework or combining advanced diffusion MRI techniques and quantitative susceptibility mapping might provide a more comprehensive picture of neurodegenerative diseases by analyzing different biological tissue properties.…”