title: Diffusion tensor imaging in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to assess white matter abnormalities in seventeen NPSLE patients, sixteen SLE patients without NPSLE, and twenty age- and gender-matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NPSLE patients differed significantly from SLE and control patients in white matter integrity of the body of the corpus callosum, the left arm of the forceps major and the left anterior corona radiata.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several possible mechanisms of white matter injury are explored, including vascular injury, medication effects, and platelet or fibrin macro- or microembolism from Libman-Sacks endocarditis.
authors.affiliation: The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, USA. rjung@mrn.org
authors.forename: Rex E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Arvind
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caprihan
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Chavez
authors.forename: Ranee A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Janeen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharrar
authors.forename: Clifford R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Qualls
authors.forename: Wilmer
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sibbitt
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Roldan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000473:pathology; D020945:Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000473:pathology