Increased brain iron coincides with early plaque formation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

► Brain metal content is a potential target for early diagnosis and treatment of AD. ► In the PSAPP mouse, iron was elevated in the cortex at the onset of plaque formation. ► The elevated iron was not associated with the amyloid plaques. ► Iron, copper, and zinc were not elevated in PSAPP plaques at time points up to 56 weeks. ► Only the zinc content was elevated at 56 weeks, representing a marker of late-stage AD.