Document Detail


Iron in the Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11551745     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The dark discoloration of globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticularis in the Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome is due to the accumulation of iron. Routine iron stains detect the metal mostly in microglia and macrophages, but scattered neurons are also reactive. Axonal spheroids are characteristic of the disease, and many of these expansions give a positive iron reaction. Globus pallidus and substantia nigra are normally rich in iron, and additional "storage" of the metal has often been considered the essential factor in the pathogenesis of Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome. However, other equally iron-rich structures, such as the red nucleus and the dentate nucleus, remain unaffected. In normal globus pallidus and substantia nigra pars reticularis, double-label immunofluorescence microscopy of ferritin, as an indirect marker of cellular iron localization, and phosphorylated neurofilament protein reveal close proximity of ferritin-reactive microglial and oligodendroglial processes to tightly packed axons. It is proposed that a primary axonal disorder allows the seepage of iron into the axoplasm. Iron may contribute to the axonal disease, but accumulation of the metal probably should be viewed as an epiphenomenon. Pallidal and nigral iron excess is not unique to Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome, and some previously reported postmortem examinations may actually represent pallidonigroluysian atrophy.
Authors:
A H Koeppen; A C Dickson
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pediatric neurology     Volume:  25     ISSN:  0887-8994     ISO Abbreviation:  Pediatr. Neurol.     Publication Date:  2001 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2001-09-11     Completed Date:  2001-10-25     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8508183     Medline TA:  Pediatr Neurol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  148-55     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Neurology Services, VA Medical Center, Albany, NY 12208, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Child
Globus Pallidus / pathology*
Humans
Iron / analysis*
Metalloproteins / analysis
Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration / pathology*
Substantia Nigra / pathology*
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Metalloproteins; 7439-89-6/Iron

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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