Excess Iron in Deep Gray Matter is Associated with Functional Decline: The Mediating Role of White Matter Myelin

Jonghyun Bae; Alexandre Rouen; Zhaoyuan Gong; Nathan Zhang; Noam Y. Fox; Murat Bilgel; Christophe Bergeron; Beate Ritz; Mustapha Bouhrara

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.121730

January 1, 2026NeuroImageOpen Access

Excess Iron in Deep Gray Matter is Associated with Functional Decline: The Mediating Role of White Matter Myelin

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Key Points

The research aims to explore the relationship between excess iron in deep gray matter and functional decline, particularly in motor abilities, and the mediating role of white matter myelin.
Analyzed iron levels in deep gray matter of older adults.
Assessed motor function and white matter integrity through neuroimaging techniques.
Evaluated the relationship between iron levels, demyelination, and motor decline using statistical analyses.
Excessive iron in deep gray matter correlates with greater functional and motor decline.
Demyelination of white matter pathways significantly mediates the relationship between iron levels and motor deterioration.
Iron and myelin metrics present as potential early biomarkers for age-related motor decline.

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Implication

Observational study reveals that excess iron impacts motor function in older adults, suggesting new biomarker targets.

Abstract

These findings suggest that excessive iron is linked to functional decline in aging, with motor deterioration specifically mediated by demyelination of white matter pathways connecting the deep gray matter to the cortex. Together, iron and myelin metrics may serve as early biomarkers of age-related motor decline and represent promising therapeutic targets for preserving motor function in older adults.

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Bae et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/696f1ac19e64f732b51eefa8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2026.121730

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Excess Iron in Deep Gray Matter is Associated with Functional Decline: The Mediating Role of White Matter Myelin

Key Points

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Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Excess Iron in Deep Gray Matter is Associated with Functional Decline: The Mediating Role of White Matter Myelin

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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