Alterations in the DTI-ALPS index and choroid plexus volume as brain–immune interfacing indicators in neuropsychiatric lupus erythematosus with inflammatory phenotype

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: =21.176, p