Iron overload, measured as serum ferritin, increases brain damage induced by focal ischemia and early reperfusion

► Iron worsens ischemic damage induced by transient ischemia and early reperfusion. ► Iron plays an important role in evolution of penumbra to infarct. ► Ferritin is not an acute phase protein after ischemia. ► Ferritin is a good indicator of body iron levels after ischemia.