Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
Volume 13, Issue 3 , Pages 186-197, September 2006

Iron: A New Target for Pharmacological Intervention in Neurodegenerative Diseases

  • Megan Whitnall, BMed Sci
    • ,
  • Des R. Richardson, BSc, MSc, PhD, DSc

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress reprint requests to Des R. Richardson, BSc, MSc, PhD, DSc, Iron Metabolism and Chelation Program, Department of Pathology, Level 5 Blackburn Building D06, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.

Iron Metabolism and Chelation Program, Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Iron (Fe) is an essential element that is imperative for the redox-driven processes of oxygen transport, electron transport, and DNA synthesis. However, in the absence of appropriate storage or chelation, excess-free Fe readily participates in the formation of toxic-free radicals, inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis. A growing body of evidence suggests that Fe may play some role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and particularly Friedreich’s ataxia. This review examines the role of Fe in the pathology of these conditions and the potential use of Fe chelators as therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Consideration is given to the features that comprise a clinically successful Fe chelator, with focus on the development of ligands such as desferrioxamine, clioquinol, pyridoxal isonicotinoyl hydrazone, and other novel aroylhydrazones.

Keywords: iron, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, chelators, Friedreich’s ataxia, PIH

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 Supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, and National Health and Medical Research Council, for grant and fellowship support. M.W was supported by a University of Sydney Australian Postgraduate Award.

PII: S1071-9091(06)00107-0

doi:10.1016/j.spen.2006.08.008

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
Volume 13, Issue 3 , Pages 186-197, September 2006

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