Cerebral blood flow in systemic lupus erythematosus with and without central nervous system involvement. Issue 12 (December 1987)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Awada, H H; Mamo, H L; Luft, A G; Ponsin, J C; Kahn, M F
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 50:Issue 12(1987)
• Page Start: 1597
• Page End: 1601
• Publication Date: 1987-12
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.50.12.1597
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was studied by the intravenous 133Xe method in 38 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); 21 patients had neuropsychiatric manifestations (N+) and 17 did not (N-). Twelve of the N+ patients had had neuropsychiatric episodes less than one year before measurement of CBF ("recent" N+), while seven patients in this group had had episodes over a year before measurement ("old" N+). The results were compared with those obtained from a group of 27 age-matched normal healthy subjects. It was found that, in most of the N+ and N- patients, rCBF was evenly distributed bilaterally, but there was a "patchwork" of high/normal and low flow areas. This disturbance of rCBF distribution was significantly greater in "recent" N+ patients than in "old" N- patients, but was not a function of the potential evolution of systemic lupus erythematosus. It was also found that there was a reduction in the physiological high frontal rCBF in the "old" N+ patients. No correlation could be found between rCBF, the topography of the neuropsychological lesions, other neurological investigations or the glucocorticoid dosage and treatment schedules.