Genes, Iron, and Movement Disorders – Is There An Association?

Researchers at the University of California San Diego examined MRI brain scans of 836 participants, of which 165 were at a high risk of hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), a disease caused by a genetic mutation of the p.C282Y gene, leading to an excess iron build-up in the body. Key findings MRI scans of individuals at a high risk of HH showed iron deposition in motor circuits of the brain, predisposing them to develop movement disorders like Parkinsonism. Male participants with gene mutations for HH had a 1.80 times higher risk of developing motor deficits.

Females were found to be at no risk owing to physiological processes like menstruation that eliminate excess iron build-up. Implications Early screening of the p.C282Y gene can prevent excess iron accumulation, reduce the iron load on vital organs, and prevent movement disorders in males at risk of HH. Do you think early genetic…