Brain Iron in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Iron plays an essential role in neurodevelopment and physiologic function of the brain by acting as cofactor for enzymes that are essential for myelinogenesis, collagen cross-linking, neurotransmitter synthesis, cellular respiration and antioxidant response. Iron deficiency hinders neurodevelopment leading to cognitive, motor and social performance deficits. Conversely, iron overload is accompanied by the formation of reactive oxygen species that lead to oxidative stress and neuronal dysfunction. Abnormal iron levels also impact the neurotransmitter systems by affecting synthesis and receptor activity. Brain iron imbalance has been reported in a series of neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the fundamental implications of this metal in mental health. However, the specific neurobiological and molecular pathways pertaining to the link between iron and psychiatric disorders are just emerging. Understanding the these mechanisms can have major clinical implications in treatment and management of side effects.

This Research Topic aims to collect original and review articles that focus on the role of iron in psychiatric disorders. The goal is to better understand how disturbance in iron neurobiology is linked to neuropsychiatric disorders with an emphasis in the connection with neuronal trajectories and molecular pathways that are altered in these disorders. Importantly, this collection will unfold the research questions and gaps that require attention.

To develop a deeper understanding of iron dysregulation in psychiatric disorders, we welcome in vivo, postmortem, or in vitro studies of brain, CSF, or systemic iron status using imaging or immunohistochemical methods in psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to:

- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Depressive disorders
- Bipolar spectrum disorders
- Psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Hemochromatosis
- Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA)

Keywords: schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, depression, iron, magnetic resonance imaging, neurodevelopment, quantitative susceptibility mapping, sleep disorders

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.