UCLA researchers find that iron affects brain structure

New research from UCLA has found that an iron-deficient diet affects the structure of the brain. Transferrin is the protein responsible for transporting iron throughout the body; high transferrin levels indicate low iron levels and visa versa. Using imaging systems and blood tests on 615 twins and siblings, scientists were able to deduce that high levels of transferrin were correlated with the damage to the brain. Furthermore, data indicates an underlying link between the human hemochromatosis (HFE) gene, which influences blood transferrin levels, and decreased brain-fiber integrity. Scientists believe this discovery will lead medicine one step close in finding a cure for neurodegenerative diseases.