Alterations in iron levels in the locus coeruleus of a transgenic Alzheimer's disease rat model.

Iron is essential for brain function, acting as a cofactor for enzymes involved in neurotransmitter synthesis and metabolism. However, dysregulated iron homeostasis is increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The locus coeruleus (LC), a norepinephrine-producing brainstem nucleus, is among the earliest regions affected in AD, yet its iron dynamics remain poorly understood.