 Background Iron overload has been implicated in the pathology and pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Aberrant iron concentrations have been observed in such as substantia nigra, red nuclei, globus pallidus and cortex of PD patients. When neuromelanin-containing organelles accumulate high load of toxins and iron during aging a neurodegenerative process can be triggered. Also, neuromelanin released by degenerating neurons activates microglia and causes neurons death starting a self-propelling mechanism of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.  Objectives To evaluate the accumulation of iron in various deep nuclei of brain and to measure volume of iron accumulated using QSM, and compare with control scale.  Methods In this study, SWI images of the MRI scans of 45 Parkinson patients within the age group of 45-85 years, were analyzed and the volume of iron in the dentate nuclei, red nuclei, and SN and lentiform nuclei was measured. SWI-MRI images of 54 Non Parkinson patients were also analyzed similarly and volume of iron measured .An average scale of iron accumulation in 43 Non-Parkinson patients control group was also formed.  Results The volume of iron accumulation clearly proved to be higher in Parkinson patients when compared to the control group. Also data collected from Non Parkinson patients indicated that iron deposition increases with increasing age.  Conclusions The knowledge of the differences in iron concentration among the deep nuclei in the brain in Parkinson’s can help in its early diagnosis as iron promises to be a potential biomarker of PD.

Keywords : Iron Overload; Parkinson’s Disease; Susceptibility Weighted Imaging.