Ferric iron chelation lowers brain iron levels after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats but does not improve outcome

► Brain iron levels are persistently high after collagenase-induced ICH in rats. ► X-ray florescence (XRF) measured several elements, including iron, after ICH. ► Deferoxamine (DFX) lowered total brain iron levels measured with XRF after ICH. ► DFX did not reduce injury or behavioral deficits in the collagenase model of ICH.