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Updated: Feb 19, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Analysis of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Published on: July 28, 2013
Brain diffusion tensor MRI in systematic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review
Beatriz Lavras Costallat1, Daniel Miranda Ferreira2, Aline Tamires Lapa3
1Laboratory of Autoimmune Disease, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil; Graduate Program in Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil.
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) reveals white matter microstructural damage in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both patients with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms showed reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) compared to healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can affect the central nervous system.
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a sensitive MRI technique for assessing white matter (WM) integrity.
- Understanding brain microstructural changes in SLE is crucial for diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review brain DTI MRI studies in patients with SLE.
- To evaluate WM microstructural damage in SLE patients with and without neuropsychiatric manifestations (NPSLE).
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines.
- Search terms included "lupus", "SLE", "DTI", "white matter", "microstructural damage", "tractography", and "fractional anisotropy" (2007-2017).
- Included 195 NPSLE patients, 299 non-NPSLE patients, and 423 healthy controls (HC).
Main Results:
- Most studies reported significantly reduced fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD) in WM regions for both NPSLE and non-NPSLE groups compared to HC.
- Subclinical WM microstructural changes were detected in regional areas or diffusely across the brain in both patient groups.
Conclusions:
- DTI reveals widespread WM microstructural abnormalities in SLE patients, irrespective of neuropsychiatric involvement.
- These findings suggest subclinical brain damage in SLE, detectable by DTI, even in the absence of overt neurological symptoms.
