Diffusion Tensor Metrics Changes in the White Matter of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Maria Luisa Mandelli¹, Monica Bucci¹, Eduardo Caverzasi¹, Mehul Sampat¹, Grace Yoon², Patricia P. Katz², Laura Julian², Roland G. Henry¹

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder affecting the central (CNS) nervous system often occurring in the subcortical white matter. Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging is an imaging tool of choice to detect subcortical white matter damage. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Mean Diffusivity (MD), Fractional Anisotropy (FA), and eigenvalues in the white matter of the brain of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients differ from those of healthy controls. SLE patients showed a significant decrease on FA (P=0.010) and on Axial Diffusivity (λ1) (P=0.017) measures compared to control subjects in the normal appearing white matter.