Open AccessBrain Morphometric Changes Associated With Childhood‐Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Neurocognitive Deficit
Author(s) -
Gitelman Darren R.,
KleinGitelman Marisa S.,
Ying Jun,
SagcalGironella Anna Carmela P.,
Zelko Frank,
Beebe Dean W.,
DiFrancesco Mark,
Parrish Todd,
Hummel Jessica,
Beckwith Travis,
Brunner Hermine I.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
arthritis & rheumatism
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1529-0131
pISSN - 0004-3591
DOI - 10.1002/art.38009
Subject(s) - neurocognitive , white matter , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , brain size , pediatrics , cognition , psychiatry , radiology
Objective To use structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to characterize changes in gray matter and white matter volumes between patients with childhood‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and matched controls, between patients with childhood‐onset SLE with and those without neurocognitive deficit, and in relation to disease duration and treatment with steroids. Methods Twenty‐two patients with childhood‐onset SLE and 19 healthy controls underwent high‐resolution structural MRI. Probability density maps for gray matter and white matter were compared between groups. Results Neuropsychological testing confirmed the presence of neurocognitive deficit in 8 patients with childhood‐onset SLE. Multiple brain regions had reduced gray matter volume in the patients with childhood‐ onset SLE with neurocognitive deficit versus controls or patients with childhood‐onset SLE without neurocognitive deficit. Neither disease duration nor cumulative oral or intravenous steroid doses accounted for decreases in gray matter. White matter volume was also reduced in patients with childhood‐onset SLE with neurocognitive deficit, and the reduction was positively associated with both disease duration and cumulative oral steroid dose. Conversely, higher cumulative intravenous steroid doses were associated with higher white matter volumes. Conclusion Neurocognitive deficit in patients with childhood‐onset SLE is associated with multifocal decreases in both gray and white matter volumes. Since only white matter volume changes are related to disease duration and cumulative oral steroid use, this may suggest that gray and white matter alterations relate to different underlying mechanisms. Further work is needed to understand the relationship between gray and white matter alterations in childhood‐onset SLE, whether the underlying mechanisms relate to immunologic, vascular, or other causes, and whether the changes are reversible or preventable. Likewise, the protective properties of intravenous steroids in maintaining white matter volumes require confirmation in larger cohorts.