Revisiting brain iron deficiency in restless legs syndrome using magnetic resonance imaging

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#brain #humans #iron #iron-deficiencies #magnetic-resonance-imaging

Revisiting brain iron deficiency in restless legs syndrome using magnetic resonance imaging

Beliveau et al., 2022 | Neuroimage Clin | Meta Analysis

Citation

Beliveau Vincent, Stefani Ambra, ... Scherfler Christoph. Revisiting brain iron deficiency in restless legs syndrome using magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimage Clin. 2022;34:103024. doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103024

Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Studies on brain iron content in restless legs syndrome (RLS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are heterogeneous. In this study, we sought to leverage the availability of a large dataset including a range of iron-sensitive MRI techniques to reassess the association between brain iron content and RLS with added statistical power and to compare these results to previous studies. METHODS: The relaxation rates R2, R2', and R2 and quantitative susceptibility are MRI parameters strongly correlated to iron content. In general, these parameters are sensitive to magnetic field variations caused by iron particles. These parameters were quantified within iron-rich brain regions using a fully automatized approach in a cohort of 72 RLS patients and individually age and gender-matched healthy controls identified from an existing dataset acquired at the Sleep Laboratory of the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck. 3 T-MRI measures were corrected for age and volume of the segmented brain nuclei and results were compared with previous findings in a meta-analysis. RESULTS: In our cohort, RLS patients had increased R2 signal in the caudate and increased quantitative susceptibility signal in the putamen and the red nucleus compared to controls, suggesting increased iron content in these areas. The meta-analysis revealed no significant pooled effect across all brain regions. Furthermore, potential publication bias was identified for the substantia nigra. CONCLUSIONS: Normal and increased iron content of subcortical brain areas detected in this study is not in line with the hypothesis of reduced brain iron storage, but favors CSF investigations and post mortem studies indicating alteration of brain iron mobilization and homeostasis in RLS.

Key Findings

In our cohort, RLS patients had increased R2* signal in the caudate and increased quantitative susceptibility signal in the putamen and the red nucleus compared to controls, suggesting increased iron content in these areas. The meta-analysis revealed no significant pooled effect across all brain regions. Furthermore, potential publication bias was identified for the substantia nigra.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition sleep

MeSH Terms

  • Brain
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Iron Deficiencies
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Restless Legs Syndrome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Vertical: iron-cognition

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09