COGNITIVE AND NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA

Abstract

Iron IS an essential element in maintaining normal structure and functions of the CNS. Dangerous effects of decreases in the bioavialability of iron in the brain are shown to affect brain biochemistry, neurotransmitters production and function, mainly in the dopamine-opiate systems as well as cognitive functions. Although many investigators found that IDA had a great influence on cognitive and cerebral functions, also found that this influence could be reversed by iron supplementation, others failed to demonstrate this relation between iron status and poor cognitive and cerebral functions.

The present study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, and Department of Neurology, Assiut University Hospital, during the period from June 2000 to September 2001. The study included 20 subjects with IDA, they were in the age ranged from 15 to 32 years. Twenty-five matched control subjects were recruited (matched for age, education and socio-economic state), to be compared with the patients.

The aim of this study to investigate the effects of IDA and iron supplementation on cognitive functions and sensory pathway transmissions.

The patients were subjected to hematological state assessment by (Blood counts, red cell indices, serum iron and TIBC). Also, subjected to psychometric and neurophysiological measures including (MMSE, WMS, WAJS, ERPs, VEPs, BAEPs and EEG). AJl assessments were done at the start of the study and repeated after 2-3 months iron therapy.

The control subjects were subjected to the same evaluations at the start of the study and 2-3 months later.