Work

Comparison of volumetric brain analysis in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are two autoimmune diseases where patients report high levels of fatigue, pain, and depression. The effect of systemic inflammation from these diseases is likely affecting the brain, however, it is unknown whether there are measurable neuroanatomical changes and whether these are a contributing factor to these central symptoms. Methods We included 258 RA patients with 774 age and sex matched controls and 249 UC patients with 747 age and sex matched controls in a case control study utilising the UK Biobank dataset. We used imaging derived phenotypes (IDPs) to determine whether there were differences in (1) hippocampal volume and (2) additional subcortical brain volumes between patients compared to controls and if there were common regions affected between these two diseases. Results Patients with UC had moderately smaller hippocampi compared to age and sex matched controls (difference: 134.15 mm 3 , SD ± 64.76, p = 0.035). This result was not seen in RA patients. RA patients had a significantly smaller amygdala volume than age and sex matched controls (difference: 91.27 mm 3 , SD ± 30.85, p = 0.0021, adjusted p value = 0.012). This result was not seen in UC patients. All other subcortical structures analysed were comparable between the patients and control groups. Conclusion These results indicate there are subcortical brain differences between UC, RA and controls but different regions of the limbic system are preferentially affected by UC and RA. This study may provide evidence for different neurodegenerative mechanisms in distinct autoimmune diseases. Key Messages Central effects such as fatigue and pain place significant burden on patients with autoimmune diseases Rheumatoid arthritis patients have smaller amygdala volumes compared to matched controls. Ulcerative colitis patients have smaller hippocampal volumes compared to matched controls.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1468910

Authors: Jennifer G. Cox, Marius de Groot, Matthew J. Kempton, Steven C. R. Williams, James H. Cole

Institutions: King's College London, GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development Limited (United Kingdom), UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London

Language: English

Topic: Rheumatoid Arthritis Research and Therapies

Subfield: Rheumatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,295