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Hu W, Qiu Z, Huang Q, Lin Y, Mo J, Wang L, Wang J, Deng K, Feng Y, Zhang X, Tan X. Microstructural changes of the white matter in systemic lupus erythematosus patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms: a multi-shell diffusion imaging study. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:110. [PMID: 38807248 PMCID: PMC11134659 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) provide more comprehensive and informative perspective on microstructural alterations of cerebral white matter (WM) than single-shell diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), especially in the detection of crossing fiber. However, studies on systemic lupus erythematosus patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms (non-NPSLE patients) using multi-shell diffusion imaging remain scarce. METHODS Totally 49 non-NPSLE patients and 41 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls underwent multi-shell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. Totally 10 diffusion metrics based on DKI (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, radial diffusivity, mean kurtosis, axial kurtosis and radial kurtosis) and NODDI (neurite density index, orientation dispersion index and volume fraction of the isotropic diffusion compartment) were evaluated. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and atlas-based region-of-interest (ROI) analyses were performed to determine group differences in brain WM microstructure. The associations of multi-shell diffusion metrics with clinical indicators were determined for further investigation. RESULTS TBSS analysis revealed reduced FA, AD and RK and increased ODI in the WM of non-NPSLE patients (P < 0.05, family-wise error corrected), and ODI showed the best discriminative ability. Atlas-based ROI analysis found increased ODI values in anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), forceps major (F_major), forceps minor (F_minor) and uncinate fasciculus (UF) in non-NPSLE patients, and the right ATR showed the best discriminative ability. ODI in the F_major was positively correlated to C3. CONCLUSION This study suggested that DKI and NODDI metrics can complementarily detect WM abnormalities in non-NPSLE patients and revealed ODI as a more sensitive and specific biomarker than DKI, guiding further understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of normal-appearing WM injury in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Hu
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziru Qiu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing and Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qin Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Lin
- Departments of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaying Mo
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linhui Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kan Deng
- Philips Healthcare, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanqiu Feng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing and Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Image Processing and Guangdong Province Engineering Laboratory for Medical Imaging and Diagnostic Technology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xiangliang Tan
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Ma Y, Tie N, Ni S, Ma X, Qiao P. Correlation between the changes of brain amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and cognitive impairment in patients with neuropsychiatric lupus. Lupus 2024; 33:255-265. [PMID: 38269543 DOI: 10.1177/09612033241228783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the relationship between brain function changes and clinical serological indicators and behavioral cognitive assessment in patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE), and understand the pathogenesis of NPSLE from the perspective of imaging. METHODS The resting-state functional imaging data, clinical serological, and behavioral cognitive assessment scores of 28 patients with NPSLE and 22 healthy controls (HC) were prospectively collected. The resting-state amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) values obtained from the analysis and processing were correlated with the serological data and behavioral cognitive assessment scores to determine the relationship between these data. RESULTS The average age of the patients of the NPSLE group was older than that of the HC group; significant differences in education level, Auditory Verbal Learning Test Hua Shan Version (AVLT-H), and Trail Making Test scores were observed between the two groups. The NPSLE group demonstrated increased brain activity in the insula, precentral gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus, and decreased brain activity in the superior parietal gyrus. The ALFF value of the insula positively correlated with the Anti-β2gp1 antibody and negatively correlated with the anti-nucleosome antibody and the AVL-recall (RC) score. The ALFF of the precentral gyrus negatively correlated with the AVL-immediate recall (I). The ALFF value of the superior temporal gyrus negatively correlated with the AVL-RC score. The left superior parietal gyrus positively correlated with the c-reactive protein. The right superior parietal gyrus positively correlated with the System Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index and negatively correlated with the AVL-I score. CONCLUSION Patients with NPSLE show different brain activity changes in different brain regions, and the abnormal brain regions are correlated with certain lupus antibodies, inflammatory factors, and cognitive assessment, thereby suggesting that the correlation between the three could provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of NPSLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Ma
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Ning Tie
- Department of Rheumatology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Sha Ni
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xueying Ma
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Pengfei Qiao
- Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Wang X, Huang L, Guo W, Tang L, Wu A, Wu P, Zhao X, Lin Q, Yu L. Cerebral Microstructural and Microvascular Changes in Non-Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Study Using Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging and 3D Pseudo-Continuous Arterial Spin Labeling. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:5465-5475. [PMID: 38026250 PMCID: PMC10676653 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s429521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to observe cerebral microstructure and microcirculation features, as well as changes in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) among patients with non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (non-NPSLE). Methods We compared 36 female patients with non-NPSLE and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) who underwent 3.0T MRI imaging with diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and 3D pseudo-continuous Arterial Spin Labeling (pCASL). Mean kurtosis (MK), mean kurtosis tensor (MKT), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) values were obtained from 25 brain regions, including WM and GM. We analyzed the correlation between imaging indicators and clinical data. Results When compared with HCs, patients with non-NPSLE had reduced MK and MKT values in regional WM, deep GM, and the left frontal lobe cortical GM, and increased CBF in the right parietal lobe WM and right semioval center (SOC). The MK and MKT values were weakly correlated with CBF in some regions, including WM and GM. Complement 3 (C3) and Complement 4 (C4) showed a weak positive correlation with MK and MKT in some regions, including WM and deep GM, while platelet (PLT) was positively correlated with MKT in the left frontal lobe WM; dsDNA antibody was correlated negatively with MK in the right occipital lobe WM; and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was correlated negatively with CBF in the left SOC. Conclusion Our findings revealed the presence of brain microstructural and microvascular abnormalities in non-NPSLE patients, indicating microstructural damage in the cortical GM, which was less commonly reported. We found DKI and pCASL useful in detecting early brain lesions, and MK was a more sensitive and beneficial indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingling Huang
- Department of Radiology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenbin Guo
- Department of Pathology, Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350400, People’s Republic of China
| | - Langlang Tang
- Department of Radiology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aiyu Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Wu
- Philips Healthcare, Shanghai, 200000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiance Zhao
- Philips Healthcare, Shanghai, 200000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Lin
- Department of Radiology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lian Yu
- Department of Rheumatology, Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Longyan, Fujian, 364000, People’s Republic of China
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Dipnall LM, Hourani D, Darling S, Anderson V, Sciberras E, Silk TJ. Fronto-parietal white matter microstructure associated with working memory performance in children with ADHD. Cortex 2023; 166:243-257. [PMID: 37406409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2023.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with many functional impairments thought to be underpinned by difficulties in executive function domains such as working memory. The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) plays an integral role in the development of working memory in neurotypical children. Neuroimaging research suggests reduced white matter organization of the SLF may contribute to working memory difficulties commonly seen in ADHD. This study aimed to examine the relationship between white matter organization of the SLF and working memory in children with ADHD. METHODS We examined the association of tract volume and apparent fibre density (AFD) of the SLF with working memory in children with ADHD (n = 64) and controls (n = 58) aged 9-11years. Children completed a computerized spatial n-back task and underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). Constrained spherical deconvolution-based tractography was used to construct the three branches of the SLF bilaterally and examine volume and AFD of the SLF. RESULTS Regression analyses revealed children with ADHD exhibited poorer working memory, and lower volume and AFD of the left SLF-II compared to healthy controls. There was also an association between reaction time and variability (RT and RT-V) and the left SLF-II. Further analyses revealed volume of the left SLF-II mediated the relationship between ADHD and working memory performance (RT and RT-V). DISCUSSION These findings add to the current body of ADHD literature, revealing the potential role of frontoparietal white matter in working memory difficulties in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danah Hourani
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Simone Darling
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Vicki Anderson
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma Sciberras
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Timothy J Silk
- School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Tan X, Liu X, Han K, Zhao L, Niu M, Yao Q, Huang Q, Zhong M, Mei Y, Huang R, Xu Y. Disrupted resting-state brain functional network properties in non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Lupus 2023; 32:538-548. [PMID: 36916282 DOI: 10.1177/09612033231160725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous fMRI studies revealed that the abnormal functional connectivity (FC) was related to cognitive impairment in patients with SLE. However, it remains unclear how the disease severity affects the functional topological organization of the whole-brain network in SLE patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms (non-NPSLE). OBJECTIVE We aim to examine the impairment of the whole-brain functional network in SLE patients without neuropsychiatric symptoms (non-NPSLE), which may improve the understanding of neural mechanism in SLE. METHODS We acquired resting-state fMRI data from 32 non-NPSLE patients and 32 healthy controls (HC), constructed their whole-brain functional network, and then estimated the topological properties including global and nodal parameters by using graph theory. Meanwhile, we also investigated the differences in intra- and inter-network FC between the non-NPSLE patients and the HC. RESULTS The non-NPSLE patients showed significantly lower clustering coefficient, global and local efficiency, but higher characteristic path length than the HC. The non-NPSLE patients had significantly lower nodal strength in two regions, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and anterior PFC (aPFC) than the HC. We found the non-NPSLE patients had significantly lower intra-network FC within frontal-parietal network (FPN) and within default mode network (DMN), and significantly lower inter-network FC between DMN and FPN than the HC. The intra-network FC within DMN was negatively correlated with systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). CONCLUSION Abnormal whole-brain functional network properties and abnormal intra- and inter-network FC may be related to cognitive impairment and disease degree in the non-NPSLE patients. Our findings provide a network perspective to understand the neural mechanisms of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangliang Tan
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojin Liu
- Center for Educational Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China.,Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kai Han
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiqi Niu
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiaoli Yao
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qin Huang
- Department of Rheumatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Miao Zhong
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Ruiwang Huang
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yikai Xu
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Li D, Mao M, Zhang X, Hou D, Zhang S, Hao J, Cui X, Niu Y, Xiang J, Wang B. Gender effects on the controllability of hemispheric white matter networks. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:1643-1658. [PMID: 35483707 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Male and female adults exhibited significant group differences in brain white matter (WM) asymmetry and WM network controllability. However, gender differences in controllability of hemispheric WM networks between males and females remain to be determined. Based on 1 principal atlas and 1 replication atlas, this work characterized the average controllability (AC) and modal controllability (MC) of hemispheric WM network based on 1 principal dataset and 2 replication datasets. All results showed that males had higher AC of left hemispheric networks than females. And significant hemispheric asymmetry was revealed in regional AC and MC. Furthermore, significant gender differences in the AC asymmetry were mainly found in regions lie in the frontoparietal network, and the MC asymmetry was found in regions involving auditory and emotion process. Finally, we found significant associations between regional controllability and cognitive features. Taken together, this work could provide a novel perspective for understanding gender differences in hemispheric WM asymmetry and cognitive function between males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Li
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Min Mao
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Dianni Hou
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Jiangping Hao
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Xiaohong Cui
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Yan Niu
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Jie Xiang
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
| | - Bin Wang
- College of Information and Computer, Taiyuan University of Technology, No. 79, Yingze West Street, Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030024, China
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Microstructural Changes in the Corpus Callosum in Systemic Lupus Erythematous. Cells 2023; 12:cells12030355. [PMID: 36766697 PMCID: PMC9913100 DOI: 10.3390/cells12030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) occurs in more than 50% of patients. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has identified global cerebral atrophy, as well as the involvement of the corpus callosum and hippocampus, which is associated with cognitive impairment. In this cross-sectional study we included 71 cSLE (mean age 24.7 years (SD 4.6) patients and a disease duration of 11.8 years (SD 4.8) and two control groups: (1) 49 adult-onset SLE (aSLE) patients (mean age of 33.2 (SD 3.7) with a similar disease duration and (2) 58 healthy control patients (mean age of 29.9 years (DP 4.1)) of a similar age. All of the individuals were evaluated on the day of the MRI scan (Phillips 3T scanner). We reviewed medical charts to obtain the clinical and immunological features and treatment history of the SLE patients. Segmentation of the corpus callosum was performed through an automated segmentation method. Patients with cSLE had a similar mid-sagittal area of the corpus callosum in comparison to the aSLE patients. When compared to the control groups, cSLE and aSLE had a significant reduction in the mid-sagittal area in the posterior region of the corpus callosum. We observed significantly lower FA values and significantly higher MD, RD, and AD values in the total area of the corpus callosum and in the parcels B, C, D, and E in cSLE patients when compared to the aSLE patients. Low complement, the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, and cognitive impairment were associated with microstructural changes. In conclusion, we observed greater microstructural changes in the corpus callosum in adults with cSLE when compared to those with aSLE. Longitudinal studies are necessary to follow these changes, however they may explain the worse cognitive function and disability observed in adults with cSLE when compared to aSLE.
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Su L, Qi Z, Guan S, Wei L, Zhao Y. Exploring the risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular disease in systemic lupus erythematosus: A single-center case-control study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978910. [PMID: 36238309 PMCID: PMC9552613 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesIschemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) is one of the most common and severe complications in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aim to explore the risk factors for ICVD in SLE and to assess their associated clinical characteristics.MethodsIn this study, 44 lupus patients with ICVD (ICVD-SLE) and 80 age- and sex-matched lupus patients without ICVD (non-ICVD-SLE) who were hospitalized in our center between 2014 and 2021 were enrolled. A comprehensive set of clinical and socio-demographic data was recorded. In the ICVD-SLE group, the modified Rankin score (mRS) at 90 days after the occurrence of ICVD, the brain MRI, and arterial ultrasonography findings were collected. Group comparisons were made with continuous variables using an independent t-test or the Mann–Whitney test, and with categorical variables using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for ICVD in SLE. Patients with ICVD-SLE were divided into three subgroups according to the gradations of intracranial arterial stenosis (ICAS). The subgroup comparisons were performed by one-way ANOVA test or Kruskal–Wallis test.ResultsOf the 44 patients with ICVD, 45% had a large-vessel ischemic stroke, 50% had a symptomatic lacunar stroke, and 9% had a transient ischemic attack. 2 (4.5%) had both large-vessel ischemic stroke and symptomatic lacunar stroke. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cutaneous vasculitis (OR=7.36, 95% CI=2.11–25.65), anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) (OR=4.38, 95% CI=1.435–13.350), and lupus anticoagulant (LA) (OR=7.543,95% CI=1.789–31.808) were the risk factors, and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) therapy (OR=0.198, 95% CI=0.078–0.502) was the protective factor, after controlling for confounders. During the analysis of the subgroups, no significant difference was observed between the patients in the group without internal carotid arterial occlusion (ICAS) and those with severe ICAS except for diagnostic delay. However, patients in the moderate ICAS group were older when SLE occurred (P<0.01), had a longer diagnostic delay (P<0.01), a lower percentage of hypocomplementemia (P=0.05) and steroids and HCQ therapy (P=0.01, P=0.05, respectively), a trend toward lower mRS score, but a higher incidence of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (P<0.01), when compared with the other two subgroups.ConclusionCutaneous vasculitis and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are associated with an increased risk of ICVD, while HCQ therapy may provide protection against ICVD in SLE. The ICVD in younger lupus patients is associated with complement-mediated inflammation and poorer outcome, and require immunosuppressive therapy, whereas the ICVD in elderly patients are characterized by moderate ICAS and carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Su
- Department of Rheumatology and Allergy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhigang Qi
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shaochen Guan
- Evidence-Based Medical Center, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lian Wei
- Department of Rheumatology and Allergy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Allergy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yi Zhao,
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Li S, Bai R, Yang Y, Zhao R, Upreti B, Wang X, Liu S, Cheng Y, Xu J. Abnormal cortical thickness and structural covariance networks in systemic lupus erythematosus patients without major neuropsychiatric manifestations. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:259. [PMID: 36443835 PMCID: PMC9703716 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02954-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (non-NPSLE) has been confirmed to have subtle changes in brain structure before the appearance of obvious neuropsychiatric symptoms. Previous literature mainly focuses on brain structure loss in non-NPSLE; however, the results are heterogeneous, and the impact of structural changes on the topological structure of patients' brain networks remains to be determined. In this study, we combined neuroimaging and network analysis methods to evaluate the changes in cortical thickness and its structural covariance networks (SCNs) in patients with non-NPSLE. METHODS We compare the cortical thickness of non-NPSLE patients (N=108) and healthy controls (HCs, N=88) using both surface-based morphometry (SBM) and regions of interest (ROI) methods, respectively. After that, we analyzed the correlation between the abnormal cortical thickness results found in the ROI method and a series of clinical features. Finally, we constructed the SCNs of two groups using the regional cortical thickness and analyzed the abnormal SCNs of non-NPSLE. RESULTS By SBM method, we found that cortical thickness of 34 clusters in the non-NPSLE group was thinner than that in the HC group. ROI method based on Destrieux atlas showed that cortical thickness of 57 regions in the non-NPSLE group was thinner than that in the HC group and related to the course of disease, autoantibodies, the cumulative amount of immunosuppressive agents, and cognitive psychological scale. In the SCN analysis, the cortical thickness SCNs of the non-NPSLE group did not follow the small-world attribute at a few densities, and the global clustering coefficient appeared to increase. The area under the curve analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in clustering coefficient, degree, betweenness, and local efficiency. There are a total of seven hubs for non-NPSLE, and five hubs in HCs, the two groups do not share a common hub distribution. CONCLUSION Extensive and obvious reduction in cortical thickness and abnormal topological organization of SCNs are observed in non-NPSLE patients. The observed abnormalities may not only be the realization of brain damage caused by the disease, but also the contribution of the compensatory changes within the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ru Bai
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ruotong Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Bibhuti Upreti
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuqi Cheng
- Department of Psychiatry, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
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Cerebral Microstructure Analysis by Diffusion-Based MRI in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Lessons Learned and Research Directions. Brain Sci 2021; 12:brainsci12010070. [PMID: 35053811 PMCID: PMC8773633 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diffusion-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, namely diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI), have been performed in the context of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), either with or without neuropsychiatric (NP) involvement, to deepen cerebral microstructure alterations. These techniques permit the measurement of the variations in random movement of water molecules in tissues, enabling their microarchitecture analysis. While DWI is recommended as part of the initial MRI assessment of SLE patients suspected for NP involvement, DTI is not routinely part of the instrumental evaluation for clinical purposes, and it has been mainly used for research. DWI and DTI studies revealed less restricted movement of water molecules inside cerebral white matter (WM), expression of a global loss of WM density, occurring in the context of SLE, prevalently, but not exclusively, in case of NP involvement. More advanced studies have combined DTI with other quantitative MRI techniques, to further characterize disease pathogenesis, while brain connectomes analysis revealed structural WM network disruption. In this narrative review, the authors provide a summary of the evidence regarding cerebral microstructure analysis by DWI and DTI studies in SLE, focusing on lessons learned and future research perspectives.
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Monahan RC, Inglese F, Middelkoop H, van Buchem M, Huizinga TW, Kloppenburg M, Ronen I, Steup-Beekman GM, de Bresser J. White matter hyperintensities associate with cognitive slowing in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and neuropsychiatric symptoms. RMD Open 2021; 7:rmdopen-2021-001650. [PMID: 34321253 PMCID: PMC8320250 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To compare cognitive function between patients with different phenotypes of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and assess its association with brain and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes. Methods Patients attending the Leiden University Medical Centre NPSLE clinic between 2007 and 2015 without large brain infarcts were included (n=151; 42±13 years, 91% women). In a multidisciplinary consensus meeting, neuropsychiatric symptoms were attributed to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (NPSLE, inflammatory (n=24) or ischaemic (n=12)) or to minor/non-NPSLE (n=115). Multiple regression analyses were performed to compare cognitive function between NPSLE phenotypes and to assess associations between brain and WMH volumes and cognitive function cross-sectionally. Results Global cognitive function was impaired in 5%, learning and memory (LM) in 46%, executive function and complex attention (EFCA) in 39% and psychomotor speed (PS) in 46% of all patients. Patients with inflammatory NPSLE showed the most cognitive impairment in all domains (p≤0.05). Higher WMH volume associated with lower PS in the total group (B: −0.14 (95% CI −0.32 to −0.02)); especially in inflammatory NPSLE (B: −0.36 (95% CI −0.60 to −0.12). In the total group, lower total brain volume and grey matter volume associated with lower cognitive functioning in all domains (all: 0.00/0.01 (0.00;0.01)) and lower white matter volume associated with lower LM, EFCA and PS (all: 0.00/0.01 (0.00;0.01)). Conclusion We demonstrated that an association between brain and WMH volumes and cognitive function is present in patients with SLE, but differs between (NP)SLE phenotypes. WMHs associated with PS especially in inflammatory NPSLE, which suggests a different, potentially more severe underlying pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive impairment in this phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Inglese
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Huub Middelkoop
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mark van Buchem
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tom Wj Huizinga
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Margreet Kloppenburg
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Itamar Ronen
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gerda M Steup-Beekman
- Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.,Department of Rheumatology, Medisch Centrum Haaglanden, the Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen de Bresser
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Chen Q, Lv X, Zhang S, Lin J, Song J, Cao B, Weng Y, Li L, Huang R. Altered properties of brain white matter structural networks in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 14:2745-2761. [PMID: 31900892 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-019-00224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Previous neuroimaging studies revealed radiation-induced brain injury in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the years after radiotherapy (RT). These injuries may be associated with structural and functional alterations. However, differences in the brain structural connectivity of NPC patients at different times after RT, especially in the early-delayed period, remain unclear. We acquired diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from three groups of NPC patients, 25 in the pre-RT (before RT) group, 22 in the early-delayed (1-6 months) period (post-RT-ED) group, and 33 in the late-delayed (>6 months) period (post-RT-LD) group. Then, we constructed brain white matter (WM) structural networks and used graph theory to compare their between-group differences. The NPC patients in the post-RT-ED group showed decreased global properties when compared with the pre-RT group. We also detected the nodes with between-group differences in nodal parameters. The nodes that differed between the post-RT-ED and pre-RT groups were mainly located in the default mode (DMN) and central executive networks (CEN); those that differed between the post-RT-LD and pre-RT groups were located in the limbic system; and those that differed between the post-RT-LD and post-RT-ED groups were mainly in the DMN. These findings may indicate that radiation-induced brain injury begins in the early-delayed period and that a reorganization strategy begins in the late-delayed period. Our findings may provide new insight into the pathogenesis of radiation-induced brain injury in normal-appearing brain tissue from the network perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyuan Chen
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofei Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China
| | - Shufei Zhang
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiabao Lin
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Song
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Bolin Cao
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihe Weng
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, 510060, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ruiwang Huang
- Center for the Study of Applied Psychology & MRI Center, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, People's Republic of China.
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Yu Y, Chen L, Wang Q, Hu L, Ding Q, Jia X, Yang X. Altered Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations in Inactive Patients with Nonneuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:9408612. [PMID: 31885539 PMCID: PMC6899324 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9408612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study is aimed at investigating the characteristics of the spontaneous brain activity in inactive patients with nonneuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (non-NPSLE). Methods Thirty-one female inactive patients with non-NPSLE and twenty healthy controls were examined by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI). Three amplitude methods including amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and percent amplitude of fluctuation (PerAF) (with and without standardization) were applied to evaluate the spontaneous brain activity. The correlation was performed between low-frequency oscillations and clinical and neuropsychological factors in inactive patients with non-NPSLE. Results Compared to healthy controls, patients with non-NPSLE showed increased standardized ALFF (mALFF) in the left inferior temporal gyrus and left putamen, decreased PerAF in the right postcentral gyrus and bilateral precentral gyrus, and increased standardized PerAF (mPerAF) in the left putamen and decreased mPerAF in the right postcentral gyrus and bilateral precentral gyrus. By standardized fALFF (mfALFF), no significant brain regions were found between the two groups. Correlation analysis revealed significantly positive correlations between glucocorticoid dose and PerAF in the right precentral gyrus and mPerAF in the left putamen, and Complement 3 (C3) and mPerAF in the right postcentral gyrus. There was a significant negative correlation between C3 and mALFF in the left putamen. Conclusion Abnormal low-frequency oscillations in multiple brain regions were found in inactive patients with non-NPSLE, indicating that the alteration of mALFF, PerAF, and mPerAF in specific brain regions might be an imaging biomarker of brain dysfunction in inactive patients with non-NPSLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Liheng Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Qiaohong Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Lingzhen Hu
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou 310009, China
| | - Qiuping Ding
- Center for Brain Imaging Science and Technology, Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrumental Science, Zhejiang University, 38 Zheda Rd, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xize Jia
- Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Institutes of Psychological Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive Impairments, No. 2318 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xuyan Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou 310009, China
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Kozora E, Filley CM, Erkan D, Uluğ AM, Vo A, Ramon G, Burleson A, Zimmerman RD, Lockshin MD. Longitudinal evaluation of diffusion tensor imaging and cognition in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2018; 27:1810-1818. [DOI: 10.1177/0961203318793215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Objective This pilot study aimed to examine longitudinal changes in brain structure and function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and neuropsychological testing. Methods Fifteen female SLE patients with no history of major neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations had brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with DTI at baseline and approximately 1.5 years later. At the same time points, a standardized battery of cognitive tests yielding a global cognitive impairment index (CII) was administered. At baseline, the SLE patients had mean age of 34.0 years (SD = 11.4), mean education of 14.9 years (SD = 2.1), and mean disease duration of 121.5 months (SD = 106.5). The MRI images were acquired with a 3T GE MRI scanner. A DTI sequence with 33 diffusion directions and b-value of 800 s/mm2 was used. Image acquisition time was about 10 minutes. Results No significant change in cognitive dysfunction (from the CII) was detected. Clinically evaluated MRI scans remained essentially unchanged, with 62% considered normal at both times, and the remainder showing white matter (WM) hyperintensities that remained stable or resolved. DTI showed decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) in bilateral cerebral WM and gray matter (GM) with no major change in NP status, medical symptoms, or medications over time. Lower FA was found in the following regions: left and right cerebral WM, and in GM areas including the parahippocampal gyrus, thalamus, precentral gyrus, postcentral gyrus, angular gyrus, parietal lobe, and cerebellum. Greater MD was found in the following regions: left and right cerebral WM, frontal cortex, left cerebral cortex, and the putamen. Conclusions This is the first longitudinal study of DTI and cognition in SLE, and results disclosed changes in both WM and GM without cognitive decline over an 18-month period. DTI abnormalities in our participants were not associated with emergent NP activity, medical decline, or medication changes, and the microstructural changes developed in the absence of macrostructural abnormalities on standard MRI. Microstructural changes may relate to ongoing inflammation, and the stability of cognitive function may be explained by medical treatment, the variability of NP progression in SLE, or the impact of cognitive reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Kozora
- Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - C M Filley
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
- Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - D Erkan
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - A M Uluğ
- CorTechs Labs, San Diego, CA, USA
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - A Vo
- The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
| | - G Ramon
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - A Burleson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | | | - M D Lockshin
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
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Altered white matter microstructure in lupus patients: a diffusion tensor imaging study. Arthritis Res Ther 2018; 20:21. [PMID: 29415762 PMCID: PMC5803933 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-018-1516-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate whether white matter microstructure is altered in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and if so, whether such alterations differed between patients with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms. METHODS Structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed in 64 female SLE patients (mean age 36.9 years, range 18.2-52.2 years) and 21 healthy controls (mean age 36.7 years, range 23.3-51.2 years) in conjunction with clinical examination, laboratory tests, cognitive evaluation, and self-assessment questionnaires. The patients were subgrouped according to the American College of Rheumatology Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus case definitions into non-neuropsychiatric SLE (nonNPSLE) and neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE). RESULTS Comparisons between the SLE group and healthy controls showed that the mean fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly reduced in the right rostral cingulum (p = 0.038), the mid-sagittal corpus callosum (CC) (p = 0.050), and the forceps minor of the CC (p = 0.015). The mean diffusivity (MD) was significantly increased in the left hippocampal cingulum (p = 0.017). No significant differences in MD or FA values were identified between NPSLE and nonNPSLE patients. Disease duration among all SLE patients correlated significantly with reduced FA in the CC (p < 0.05). No correlations were found between DTI parameters and white matter hyperintensities, SLE Disease Activity Index-2000, Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinical/ACR Organ Damage Index, or Montgomery Asberg Depression Rate Score Self-report. CONCLUSIONS We found alterations of white matter microstructure in SLE patients that were related to disease duration and fatigue. Our results indicate that cerebral involvement in SLE is not isolated to the NPSLE subgroup.
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