Poster Presentation Australian and New Zealand Stroke Organisation Conference 2025

Investigating Iron Deposition in Recovery Following Young Adult Stroke: The Young Stroke Service Deep Phenotyping Project (#118)

Marie-Louise Ferraro 1 2 , Emily Ramage 1 2 , Nadja Korajkic 1 3 , Amy Brodtmann 4 5 , Kate Hayward 2 , Natasha Lannin 4 5 , Brooke Parsons 1 , Darrel Tan 1 , Dana Wong 6 , Vincent Thijs 1 2 3 , On behalf of Young Stroke Service Project Team 1
  1. The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  2. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  3. Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Background: The Young Stroke Service Deep Phenotyping Project (YSSDP) is an observational study investigating recovery trajectories in young adults aged 18-55 following stroke. Iron accumulation has been implicated in neuroinflammation and secondary injury post-stroke, with Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM) offering a sensitive, non-invasive method to quantify brain iron. This study aims to explore potential associations between regional brain iron deposition and post-stroke fatigue and cognitive impairment, to identify early imaging biomarkers of recovery.

Methods: A total of 100 participants will undergo serial multimodal MRI at <1, 3, and 6 months post-stroke, integrated with clinical assessments of post-stroke fatigue and cognition. The imaging protocol includes a suite of MRI sequences, one of which is Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM). QSM will be used to quantify brain iron in the basal ganglia, thalamus, and cortex. We will use an observational epidemiological approach to complete a statistical analysis to explore associations between imaging iron deposition in these regions and post-stroke fatigue and cognitive recovery outcomes. 

Discussion: This protocol enables a comprehensive, longitudinal assessment of regional iron deposition and potential associations with fatigue and cognitive outcomes in young stroke.

Conclusion: This protocol may identify early iron-related imaging biomarkers, enhancing understanding of fatigue and cognitive recovery in young stroke survivors.