Objective It has been reported that iron increases in single DAergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of postmortem parkinsonian patients, indicating that primary changes in neuronal iron could lead to neurodegeneration in Parkinsons disease (PD).However, the mechanism underlying this selective iron accumulation is largely unknown.Our previous studies in PD animal models showed iron import protein divalent metal transporter1 (DMT1) and iron export protein ferroportin1 (Fp1) were all involved in the nigral iron accumulation.In the present study, we investigated the expression of iron-related proteins (DMT1, Fp1 and IRP1) and alterations in iron content in the temporal cortex of postmortem parkinsonian patients.Methods Iron concentration was measured by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP-2) detector.The expression levels of IRP1, DMT1 and Fp1 were determined by western blots.Results The iron levels were significantly lower in PD patients than that of age-matched controls.The expression levels of DMT1, Fp 1 and IRP 1 were decreased in temporal cortex of PD patients.Conclusion This is the first time to investigate the involvement of palliums iron metabolism in the brains of PD patients.These results suggest that there might be a redistribution of iron in PD brains, especially between temporal cortex and SN.