Altered Blood–Brain Barrier Permeability in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Novel Imaging Approach

Objective To evaluate a safe, noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method to measure regional blood–brain barrier integrity and investigate its relationship with neurocognitive function and regional gray matter volume in juvenile‐onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods In this cross‐sectional, case–control study, capillary permeability was measured as a marker of blood–brain barrier integrity in juvenile SLE patients and matched healthy controls, using a combination of arterial spin labeling and diffusion‐weighted brain MRI. Regional gray matter volume was measured by voxel‐based morphometry. Correlation analysis was done to investigate the relationship between regional capillary permeability and regional gray matter volume. Formal neurocognitive testing was completed (measuring attention, visuoconstructional ability, working memory, and psychomotor speed), and scores were regressed against regional blood–brain barrier integrity among juvenile SLE patients. Results Formal cognitive testing confirmed normal cognitive ability in all juvenile SLE subjects (n = 11) included in the analysis. Regional capillary permeability was negatively associated (P = 0.026) with neurocognitive performance concerning psychomotor speed in the juvenile SLE cohort. Compared with controls (n = 11), juvenile SLE patients had significantly greater capillary permeability involving Brodmann's areas 19, 28, 36, and 37 and caudate structures (P