The neurodegenerative disease multiple sclerosis (MS) is relatively common, but its causes and diagnosis are still under investigation, with pieces of the puzzle including genes and environmental issues such as lack of vitamin D. Researchers at the University of Alberta have found increased levels of iron in the brain in people with MS and physical disabilities, using high-powered MRI technology. High levels of iron are toxic to brain cells and have been linked with a number of neurodegenerative diseases, but there are currently no tests that can measure iron levels in living brain tissue. This method could help physicians to track the disease, and drug developers to monitor the activity of new therapeutics in clinical trials. Report