"Studies have suggested that in the hippocampus, which is the brain area important to memory and learning, [there] may be a specific target for some autoantibodies in neuropsychiatric SLE," Dr. Appenzeller told the congress.
"We have previously shown in adults that there is hippocampal atrophy associated with the total dose of corticosteroids," Dr. Appenzeller said (Ann. Rheum. Dis. 2006;65:1585-9), noting that the association was found once again in the current study (P = .019). Atrophy was also associated with anticardiolipin antibodies (P = .009), vasculitis (P = .042), disease duration (P = .001), cognitive impairment (P = .005), age of disease onset (P = .008) and current age (P = .013). However, disease activity and damage scores were not associated with hippocampal atrophy.
Patients that may have hippocampal atrophy should be followed more closely with MRI and cognitive evaluation, Dr. Appenzeller advised, adding that the findings "could allow us to develop strategies to prevent its occurrence" (Lupus 2013;22[Suppl.]:O15)
Neither Dr. Katsicas nor Dr. Appenzeller reported conflicts of interest. Dr. Watson disclosed that Abbott Laboratories provided the NGAL assay for her group’s study at no cost.