Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Brain iron buildup seen on MRI in aging dogs and cats
By Fischer, Carolin et al.·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2026·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cerebral iron deposition in the Globus pallidus and Substantia nigra of aging dogs and cats presenting as bilateral hypointensity on T2w and iron-sensitive MRI sequences (SWI, T2*).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Aging dogs and cats can develop a buildup of iron in their brains, which may be detected through MRI scans. In a study involving 198 dogs and 38 cats, researchers found that older pets showed more visible signs of this iron accumulation, especially when using stronger MRI machines. The imaging techniques SWI and T2* were particularly effective in spotting these deposits in dogs. While the findings in cats were less clear, the results suggest that age plays a significant role in brain health for both species.
People also search for: dog brain MRI results · cat aging brain health · iron buildup in dogs · MRI for dog neurological issues
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: With aging, dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis can lead to cerebral iron accumulation, a process associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and recognized as an imaging marker in humans. Similarly, MRI-detected cerebral iron accumulation has been reported in aging beagles, suggesting parallels with human findings. METHODS: Single-center, observational study that retrospectively and prospectively evaluated 236 client-owned animals (198 dogs, 38 cats) undergoing brain MRI between 2014 and 2024. Patients represented various breeds and ages; scans were performed at different field strengths, 1-3 Tesla (T), with each animal examined once at a single field strength. MRIs were evaluated for bilateral hypointensities in T2-weighted (T2w) and iron-sensitive imaging (SWI, T2*) in the Globus pallidus and Substantia nigra. In selected cases, iron deposition was validated via post-mortem iron-sensitive Perl's staining of fixed brain tissues. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis identified age as a significant predictor of improved visibility (OR = 1.21, < 0.0001). Compared with 1T, 1.5T increased the odds of visibility by 2.78-fold ( = 0.0366), and 3T by 4.82-fold ( < 0.001). Species-specific analysis showed that, in cats, field strength had no significant effect ( = 0.1575), whereas age remained a significant predictor ( = 0.0192). Iron-sensitive sequences (SWI, T2*) provided superior visibility of iron deposits compared to T2w, particularly in dogs. No significant difference in hypointensity detection was observed between the two brain regions. DISCUSSION: In summary, age and MRI field strength significantly affect the visibility of cerebral iron deposits in dogs, whereas feline results require further investigation due to the limited sample size. SWI and T2* enhance iron detection compared to T2w, particularly in canines.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41756578/