| Title: |
Alterations in the DTI-ALPS index and choroid plexus volume as brain–immune interfacing indicators in neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus with inflammatory phenotype |
| Authors: |
Liu, Huiyang; Li, Huanhuan; Tian, Bailing; Jiang, Yueluan; Li, Zhenxing; Sun, Zhen; Xia, Yuwei; Shi, Feng; Yang, Pingting; Fan, Guoguang; Liu, Hu |
| Contributors: |
Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province; Liaoning Revitalization Talents Program; central guiding local science and technology development foundation of Liaoning Province; National Natural Science Foundation of China |
| Source: |
Lupus Science & Medicine ; volume 13, issue 1, page e001815 ; ISSN 2053-8790 |
| Publisher Information: |
BMJ |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Description: |
Objectives This study aims to compare the diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index, choroid plexus (CP) volume and perivascular space (PVS) volume across different subtypes of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) in order to gain a deeper understanding of brain–immune interfacing dysfunction and neuroinflammation in these patients. Methods A total of 157 patients with SLE (57 non-NPSLE, 57 inflammatory NPSLE and 43 ischaemic NPSLE) and 60 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. CP and PVS morphometry were assessed using T1-weighted and T2-weighted images. The DTI-ALPS index was computed to evaluate diffusivity along the x, y and z axes in the lateral ventricle body. Between-group differences in DTI-ALPS and CP/PVS volumes were analysed using analysis of covariance. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted to differentiate NPSLE and its inflammatory subtype from non-NPSLE. Correlations between imaging data and clinical variables were also examined. Results The DTI-ALPS index is significantly reduced in NPSLE compared with HCs and patients without NPSLE (L: F =10.924, p |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1136/lupus-2025-001815 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1136/lupus-2025-001815; https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1136/lupus-2025-001815 |
| Rights: |
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.57EF2F6D |
| Database: |
BASE |