Ferroptosis in Nervous System Diseases

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lethal lipid peroxidation. First identified in cancer cells in 2012, ferroptosis has significant implications in several nervous system disorders. Studies have revealed the presence of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reduction, and glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibition in various brain diseases, and ferroptotic inhibitors have been shown to protect neurons and improve cognitive function in experimental cellular and/or animal models. In this chapter, we describe the role that ferroptotic mechanisms play in different brain diseases and discuss how this knowledge can be harnessed to prevent and treat nervous system diseases.