Hemochromatosis mutations, dementia and brain iron deposition: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Melzer David , Atkins Janice L , Pilling Luke C , Heales Christine J , Savage Sharon , Kuo Chia-Ling , Kuchel George A , Steffens David C 
Published: June 2020

Importance

Brain iron deposition is common in dementia, but its causal significance is uncertain. The HFE p.C282Y homozygous mutation in European ancestry populations can lead to iron overload and hemochromatosis, mainly in males. Data on brain outcomes in homozygotes are scarce.

Objective

To estimate HFE variant associations with MRI features plus incident dementia diagnoses during follow-up in a large community based cohort.

Design

UK Biobank cohort with follow-up in routine hospitalization records (mean 8.8 years). MRI imaging available on a participant subset scanned 2014 to 2018.

Setting

Community cohort participants across England, Wales and Scotland.

Participants

European ancestry participants (n=451,186) aged 40 to 70 years at baseline, including 2,890 p.C282Y homozygotes (predominantly without baseline haemochromatosis diagnoses). MRI scanning on 9,464 males and 10,475 females, including 40 male and 75 female p.C282Y homozygotes.

Exposure

HFE C282Y and H63D genetic variants

Main outcome and measures

Brain MRI site specific T2* measures (lower values associated with iron deposition) and gray matter volumes. Incident dementia diagnoses during follow-up.

Results

Male p.C282Y homozygotes had lower T2* measures in several brain areas including the thalamus (beta = -1.04 standard deviations, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.76, multiple testing adjusted p-value=4.9*10-10), putamen and hippocampus, compared to those without HFE mutations. Male homozygotes also had smaller gray matter volumes in the putamen (beta -0.80 sd, 95%CI -1.12 to - 0.47, adjusted p=2.2*10-4) and ventral striatum.

Diagnoses of incident dementia (Hazard Ratio HR=2.27; 95% CI 1.36 to 3.80, p=0.002) were more common in p.C282Y homozygous men, as were delirium diagnoses (HR=2.04, CI 1.09 to 3.82, p=0.03), but there was no association with Stroke.

In p.C282Y homozygote females and p.C282Y/H63D heterozygotes, MRI associations were less marked.

Conclusion and Relevance

In a community sample, men with the HFE p.C282Y homozygote genotype had more brain iron deposition, smaller specific gray matter volumes, and increased incidence of dementia. As iron overload in hemochromatosis is treatable, early intervention may prevent or limit related brain pathology in male HFE p.C282Y homozygotes.

Key Points

Question

Is the hemochromatosis HFE p.C282Y homozygous variant in men associated with brain MRI features and incident dementia?

Findings

On MRI, p.C282Y homozygote males had evidence of more iron deposition in areas including the thalamus, putamen and hippocampus, plus smaller putamen gray matter volumes, compared to men without HFE mutations. In 451,186 UK Biobank participants during the mean 8.8 year follow-up, incident dementia diagnoses were more than twice as common in the 1,294 homozygous men.

Meaning

As iron overload in hemochromatosis is treatable, early intervention may prevent or limit related brain pathology in male HFE p.C282Y homozygotes.