Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is a genetic condition characterized by haemolytic anaemia, cerebral vasculopathy and cognitive impairment. The effect of SCA on brain iron concentrations has not been extensively studied. Brain iron is important in cognitive function and iron overload may accelerate neurodegeneration. Here, susceptibility mapping (QSM) was used to compare brain tissue susceptibility values in 86 SCA patients and 25 healthy controls. Elevated susceptibility was found in the red nucleus of the SCA group versus controls, suggesting increased iron accumulation. In SCA subjects there was no significant effect of silent cerebral infarcts or anaemia severity on brain susceptibility values.
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