Abstract
Magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles in the form of magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) are present in the human brain. They have been hypothesized to biomineralize in situ, as a result of dysfunctional iron homeostasis related to Alzheimer’s disease, or to enter the brain as airborne pollution particles. Regardless of their origin, magnetic iron-oxides pose a potential hazard to human health due to their high redox activity and surface charge. Here we report measurements on four post-mortem human brainstems, with one brainstem showing approximately 100 times higher magnetite concentrations than the other cases. This brainstem came from a subject with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) that manifested in liver cirrhosis and massive hepatic iron overload. Laser ablation – inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry showed the highest levels of trace metals (iron, copper and manganese) in the ALD brainstem. It is well established that a dysfunctional liver can result in the accumulation of trace metals in the brain. Our data indicate a similar pathway for magnetite particles, yet liver pathology has not been linked to magnetite occurrence in the brain so far. It may prove to be a crucial factor in understanding the high variation of magnetite concentrations found in human brains.
| Item Type: | Journal article |
|---|---|
| Faculties: | Geosciences > Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Medicine > Anatomic Institute |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health 500 Science > 550 Earth sciences and geology |
| URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-epub-133471-9 |
| ISSN: | 2045-2322 |
| Language: | English |
| Item ID: | 133471 |
| Date Deposited: | 30. Mar 2026 13:35 |
| Last Modified: | 30. Mar 2026 13:35 |
| DFG: | Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 470880236 |
| DFG: | Gefördert durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - 491502892 |
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