An important aspect concerns the role of DMT1 in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases induced by known neurotoxic stimuli such as kainate, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), agonist of the NMDA Receptors of the family of ionotropic glutamate receptors, levodopa or L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and hypoxia, as discussed later. The gene discussed is SLC11A2; the disease is neurodegenerative disease.