Detecting white matter injury in sickle cell disease using voxel-based morphometry

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is linked to neurological complications like stroke and cognitive impairment.
• Detecting subtle white matter changes is crucial for understanding SCD's impact on the brain.

Observation:

• This study utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) on MRI scans of 36 children and adolescents with SCD and 31 controls.
• White and gray matter density maps were analyzed to compare individuals with SCD (with and without visible lesions) to controls.

Findings:

• Individuals with SCD, regardless of visible lesions, exhibited lower intelligence quotients (IQs) compared to controls.
• VBM identified extensive bilateral white matter abnormalities in SCD patients, extending beyond infarcts and present even in those without visible lesions.

Implications:

• VBM is a sensitive tool for detecting white matter injury in SCD, even in areas without infarction.
• These subclinical white matter abnormalities may underlie cognitive dysfunction observed in individuals with SCD.