[Cortical atrophy and higher cortical dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus].
The relationships between cortical atrophy and higher cortical dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were investigated. The subjects were 27 females, right-handed patients with SLE. None of them had a history of cerebro-vascular disorders. The CT index of cortical atrophy included Huckman number, Evans' ratio, Ventricular index, and Cella-media index calculated from the brain CT. As controls, 27 age- and sex- matched, healthy subjects were studied and compared with the SLE group. All underwent the following neuropsychological examinations: intelligence and mental state, linguistic function, and recognition and praxis. As a result, Huckman number and Evans' ratio were significantly higher in the SLE group than in controls, clearly showing evidence of cortical atrophy. With regard to the relationships between cortical atrophy and neuropsychological tests, there were significant relationships between digit span and Huckman number and Evans' ratio, and between word fluency and Evans' ratio. These findings suggested that the atrophy of frontal lobe was characteristic in SLE, being associated with dysfunction of frontal lobe.
Maeshima
E
E
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Wakayama Medical College.
Maeshima
S
S
Yamada
Y
Y
Maeda
T
T
Yukawa
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed