Functional Brain Network Alterations in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With Different Cognitive Function...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that can affect the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment.
• Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of cognitive dysfunction in SLE is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain functional network disruptions in SLE patients with varying cognitive function using graph theory analysis.
• To explore the relationship between these network alterations, clinical data, and neuropsychiatric scales.

Main Methods:

• Resting-state fMRI data analyzed using graph theory in 38 female SLE patients and 44 healthy controls.
• SLE patients categorized into high (MoCA≥26) and low (MoCA<26) cognitive function groups based on MoCA scores.
• Comparison of global and local network topological properties, followed by correlation analysis with clinical indicators in the low MoCA group.

Main Results:

• SLE patients with low MoCA scores exhibited altered global network properties, including increased characteristic path length and decreased global/local efficiency compared to controls.
• Local network analysis revealed decreased node efficiency in specific brain regions (e.g., anterior cingulate, putamen, pallidum, Heschl gyrus) in the low MoCA group.
• Network alterations in the low MoCA group correlated with clinical markers such as C4 levels, disease duration, and IgM levels.

Conclusions:

• Disrupted functional brain network topology is associated with cognitive impairment in SLE patients.
• Altered brain network properties in SLE may serve as potential imaging biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and cognitive status.