Cerebral iron load and cognitive impairment: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Motivation: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is used for direct mapping of brain tissue magnetic susceptibility, with iron being a major source in gray matter. Goal(s): To examine the association between cerebral iron load, dementia, and cognitive function, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and small vessel disease. Approach: We assessed the brain iron load in ARIC neurocognitive study. We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate risk of dementia and used generalized linear model to evaluate the associations of cognitive function scores and QSM levels. Results: Higher cerebral iron load was associated with dementia, independent of APOE4 status, cardiovascular risk factors, and small vessel disease. Impact: Higher cerebral iron load is associated with dementia, independent of APOE4 status, cardiovascular risk factors, and small vessel disease, suggesting its role in neurodegenerative disease pathogenesis, separate from vascular contributions