title: Abnormality in hippocampal signal intensity predicts atrophy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: Objectives To quantify signal abnormalities in the hippocampus (Hsig) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine if Hsig predict hippocampal atrophy (HA) in SLE. Methods We included all SLE patients and healthy age- and sex-matched individuals with two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans performed with a minimum of 1 year interval. All individuals underwent a standardized neuropsychological evaluation. Individual results were converted into standard scores and compared to normative data. SLE patients were additionally assessed for disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)), damage (Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SDI)), and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. MRI was performed on an Elscint 2 T scanner and T1 inversion recovery and T2 coronal images were used for analysis. Volumetric (HV) and signal quantification (Hsig) were determined by standardized protocols. Results We included 54 SLE patients (48 women; mean age 32.2 ± 10.56 years). Hsig were found at study entry in 15 (45.5%) patients. Hsig in the body and tail of non-atrophic hippocampi correlated with progression of volume loss during the follow-up period ( r = 0.8, p < 0.001). The presence of Hsig in the head of atrophic hippocampi correlated with progression of HA ( r = 0.73, p = 0.005) during the same period. No correlation of Hsig and disease activity or prednisone dose was observed. Conclusion HA is frequently observed in SLE patients and volume loss is progressive in a subgroup of patients. The evaluation of Hsig is an easy tool to determine patients that may have progressive hippocampal volume loss and should be followed more closely with MRI and cognitive evaluation.
authors.affiliation: 1 MSc Graduate (Postgraduate) Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lapa
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Francischinelli
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Coan
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: L T Lavras
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Costallat
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cendes
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Science, State University of Campinas, Brazil.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Appenzeller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000378:metabolism; D001284:Atrophy; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid
keywords: Hippocampal signal abnormality; cognitive impairment; gliosis