Amygdala Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Author Information
Author(s): Emmer Bart J, van der Grond Jeroen, Steup-Beekman Gerda M, Huizinga Tom W. J, van Buchem Mark A
Primary Institution: Leiden University Medical Center
Hypothesis
Is there specific involvement of the amygdala in human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?
Conclusion
Patients with SLE who also had antibodies against the NMDA receptor had more severe damage in the amygdala as compared with patients with SLE without these antibodies.
Supporting Evidence
- The average ADC in the amygdala of patients with NP-SLE was lower than in healthy controls.
- Patients with anti-NMDAR antibodies had more severe damage in the amygdala compared to those without these antibodies.
- No significant differences were found in gray or white matter segments.
Takeaway
This study found that the amygdala, a part of the brain that helps control emotions, is damaged in people with a disease called lupus, especially in those with certain antibodies.
Methodology
The study used diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) to analyze brain structure in patients with neuropsychiatric SLE, SLE, and healthy controls.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias due to the small number of patients and specific inclusion criteria.
Limitations
The sample size is small and the study may not generalize to all SLE patients.
Participant Demographics
37 patients with neuropsychiatric SLE (1 male, 36 female; mean age 36.4 years) and 21 patients with SLE (demographics not specified), plus 12 healthy controls (1 male, 11 female; mean age 43.8 years).
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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