After administration of the ferrocene derivative 3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoyl ferrocene to rats for 4 weeks various brain regions including substantia nigra, cerebellum and cerebral cortex showed up to 50% increase in iron content. Subsequent administration of one of the hydroxypyridones CP20, CP24 and CP94, or the siderophore desferrioxamine caused a significant decrease in the iron content of these various brain regions. Each of the hydroxypyridones and the siderophore influenced dopamine metabolism by causing significant variations in both homovanillic acid and dopamine turnover.