Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate possible differences in brain structure, as measured by T1-weighted MRI, between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and healthy controls (HC), and whether any observed differences were in turn more severe in SLE patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPSLE) than those without (non-NPSLE). Structural T1-weighted MRI was performed on 69 female SLE patients (mean age = 35.8 years, range = 18–51 years) and 24 age-matched female HC (mean age = 36.8 years, range = 23–52 years) in conjunction with neuropsychological assessment using the CNS Vital Signs test battery. T1-weighted images were preprocessed and analyzed by FSL-VBM. The results show that SLE patients had lower grey matter probability values than the control group in the VIIIa of the cerebellum bilaterally, a region that has previously been implied in sensorimotor processing in human and non-human primates. No structural differences for this region were found between NPSLE and non-NPSLE patients. VBM values from the VIIIa region showed a weak positive correlation with the psychomotor speed domain from CNS Vital Signs (p = 0.05, r = 0.21), which is in line with its presumed role as a sensorimotor processing area.
Highlights
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that follows a pattern of relapsing-remitting, meaning that patients typically experience periods of more severe respectively milder symptoms that alternate over time
A similar pattern was visible in the right cerebellum, with no observable effects elsewhere in the brain
No difference was found for that same area between neuropsychiatric SLE (NPSLE) and non-NPSLE (t(67) = 0.35, p = 0.728, see Figure 2)
Summary
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that follows a pattern of relapsing-remitting, meaning that patients typically experience periods of more severe respectively milder symptoms that alternate over time. SLE is about nine times more common in women than men [1] and the disease onset usually occurs in women of childbearing age [1,2,3] Both the central and peripheral nervous system are commonly affected (21–95% of all patients; [4]) along with most organ systems which, by extension, risks negative effects for the individual’s psychosocial well-being [5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Estimates of the proportion of SLE patients that suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms (NP) range widely between 21 and 95% [4] These symptoms can comprise several complaints, for example mild cognitive impairment or mood disorders as well as more severe instances, such as stroke, epilepsy, psychosis, or microangiopathy [12]. The pathophysiology behind the disease is diverse and can include production of autoantibodies, intrathecal production of proinflammatory cytokines that affect the blood-brain barrier [15], cardiovascular disease [16], ischemia [17], thromboembolism [18], and atherosclerosis [19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
