Cognitive assessment and quantitative MRI in systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between quantitative correlates of diffuse brain damage and neurological and psychiatric manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). A group of 37 patients with a primary diagnosis of SLE (mean age 43.97±12.55) were compared to 29 matched healthy controls. The SLE group were subdivided into those who had experienced neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations (NPSLE – n=15) and those who had never had NP manifestations (non-NPSLE). Participants completed a broad cognitive test battery, neuropsychological measures and quantitative MRI (magnetisation transfer (MTI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)). From MTI the magnetisation transfer ratio (MTR) was measured, which can be a marker for demyelination. Using DTI the extent (apparent diffusion coefficient) and directionality (fractional anisotropy) of diffusion were assessed, which are sensitive measures of brain structural integrity.

Date of Award	2012
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton