1.The correlation between serum sTREM2 levels and cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease
Hanfang CUI ; Fangyuan DING ; Zhixiu XU ; Qing LI ; Yifan ZHANG ; Sen ZHANG ; Mengke GAO ; Yuhui CHEN ; Xiaowen ZHAO ; Jialu ZHAO ; Chengbiao LU ; Shaomin LI ; Jianhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):976-982
Objective:To explore the correlation between serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) and cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), and the role of deep medullary vein (DMV) score in this process.Methods:A total of 140 patients with CSVD admitted to the Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Medical University from December 2022 to August 2024 were selected as the research objects. The basic data statistics, head magnetic resonance imaging examination, cognitive function assessment, serum sTREM2 detection and DMV score were performed. All data were analyzed by SPSS 29.0 software and GraphPad Prism 10.0 software packages. Logistic regression model was used to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment. Structural equation model was used to analyze the mediating effect of DMV score on the association between serum sTREM2 and cognitive impairment. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum sTREM2 level and DMV score for cognitive impairment in CSVD patients.Results:Serum sTREM2 level ( B=0.017, OR=1.017, 95% CI=1.003-1.031), DMV score ( B=0.375, OR=1.455, 95% CI=1.175-1.802) and years of education ( B=-0.248, OR=0.780, 95% CI=0.635-0.958) were risk factors for cognitive impairment (all P<0.05). sTREM2 not only directly affected cognitive function, but also indirectly affected cognitive function through DMV score. The direct effect (effect size=-0.022) and mediating effect (effect size=-0.007) accounted for 75.9% and 24.1% of the total effect (effect size=-0.029), respectively. The areas under the ROC curve of serum sTREM2 level, DMV score, and their combination for predicting cognitive impairment in CSVD patients were 0.880, 0.891, and 0.910, respectively (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Serum sTREM2 not only directly affects the cognitive function of patients with cerebral small vessel disease, but also indirectly affects cognitive function through DMV score. The combination of serum sTREM2 levels and DMV score has high predictive value for the risk of CSVD-related cognitive impairment.
2.The postictal electroencephalographic characteristics and prognosis of status epilepticus
Honghua CHEN ; Lingli JU ; Yanyan JI ; Yiyang XUE ; Lihong TAO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):990-996
Objective:To analyze postictal electroencephalographic(EEG) characteristics of patients with status epilepticus (SE) based on the score of grand total electroencephalography (GTE), and explore the relationship between electroencephalographic characteristics of SE and clinical prognosis.Methods:A total of 110 SE patients were enrolled in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from September 1, 2021 to September 1, 2023. EEG and GTE scores were performed in all patients after seizures (0-2 days after the cessation of SE). After one year of discharge, the medication and seizure status of patients were followed up by phone or outpatient visits. The seizure outcomes were recorded according to the international league against epilepsy (ILAE) seizure outcome classification, with favorable outcomes defined as good prognosis group ( n=54) and unfavorable outcomes defined as poor prognosis group ( n=56). SPSS 27.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Binary Logistic regression analysis was employed to screen impact variables of prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was plotted to determine the optimal cut-off point for predicting prognosis in epilepsy. Results:There were statistically significant differences in the total GTE score(2(1, 4), 8(5, 10); Z=-6.837, P<0.001), diffuse slow activity(0(0, 1), 2(0, 2); Z=-6.495, P<0.001), reactivity of the rhythmic background activity(0(0, 0), 0(0, 1); Z=-2.705, P=0.007), paroxysmal activity(0(0, 0), 1.5(0, 3.0); Z=-4.420, P<0.001), focal disturbances(0(0, 0), 0(0, 0); Z=-2.130, P=0.033), and sharp wave activity(0(0, 2), 2(2, 3); Z=-5.714, P<0.001)between the good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity and total GTE score (all P<0.05). The differences in EEG results between SE patients with clear and unknown causes were statistically significant in terms of paroxysmal activity and focal disturbances(both P<0.05). The results of binary Logistic regression analysis showed that independent factors associated with the prognosis of SE included medication adherence ( B=-0.496, OR=0.609, 95% CI=0.395-0.940, P=0.025), diffuse slow activity( B=1.580, OR=4.854, 95% CI=1.586-14.855, P=0.006), sharp wave activity( B=0.824, OR=2.280, 95% CI=1.210-4.297, P=0.011), and total GTE score ( B=0.561, OR=1.753, 95% CI=1.360-2.259, P<0.001). In evaluating the prognosis of SE, the GTE score had a certain sensitivity (74.6%) and specificity (85.1%), with a optimal cut-off point of 6. Conclusions:The differences in EEG results among SE patients with different types of epileptic seizures were statistically significant in terms of frequency of rhythmic background activity, diffuse slow activity, reactivity of rhythmic background activity. The appearance of diffuse slow activity and sharp wave activity in the electroencephalogram of SE patients indicates poor prognosis, and the total GTE score≥6 may be a strong predictor of poor prognosis. However, good medication adherence is a protective factor for epilepsy recurrence.
3.Methylation levels of DRD2 gene in melancholic depression patients and its association with psychosocial factors and symptom severity
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):997-1004
Objective:To investigate the association between dopamine D2 receptor ( DRD2) promoter methylation levels and melancholic depression (MD), and its correlation with psychosocial factors and depression severity. Method:A total of 30 patients with melancholic depression (MD group) and 30 with non-melancholic depression (NMD group) were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between October 2023 and October 2024, along with 30 healthy controls. Participants were assessed by the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24), dimensional anhedonia rating scale (DARS), childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), life event scale (LES), and social support rating scale (SSRS). DRD2 methylation levels in peripheral blood were measured by MassArray technology. Data were analyzed in SPSS 29.0 software using ANOVA, non-parametric tests, and t-tests to compare methylation levels among groups, and Logistic regression, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression to examine associations between DRD2 methylation and psychosocial factors and depression severity. Results:(1) There were statistically significant differences among the three groups in years of education ( F=9.873, P=0.007), HAMD-24 total scores ( H=76.669, P<0.001), DARS total scores ( H=60.617, P<0.001), SSRS total scores ( F=3.592, P=0.032), LES negative stimulus scores ( H=43.461, P<0.001), and CTQ total scores ( H=10.751, P=0.005). The MD group had a longer course of illness ( Z=-1.980, P=0.048), more episodes ( Z=-2.027, P=0.043), and a higher rate of suicide attempts in the past year ( χ2= 9.643, P=0.002) compared with the NMD group. The MD group had higher HAMD-24 total scores (31.00 (28.00, 32.25)) than the NMD group (23.00 (21.00, 25.00)), and lower DARS total scores (17.00 (9.75, 22.00)) compared with the NMD group(36.50 (33.75, 43.00)) (both P<0.05). (2) No statistically significant difference was found in DRD2 gene methylation levels among the three groups ( F=0.081, all P>0.05). Logistic regression showed that DRD2 gene methylation level was not an influencing factor for the onset of MD ( P>0.05). (3)The correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that childhood trauma (CTQ total score) was negatively correlated with DRD2 gene methylation levels in MD patients ( r=-0.416, P=0.025) and MDD patients. DRD2 gene methylation level was not correlated with depression severity ( r=0.136, P>0.05) or anhedonia severity (both P>0.05). Social support (SSRS total score) was positively correlated with DARS total scores in MD patients( r=0.427, P=0.019), and years of education had a positive association with DARS total scores in MDD patients ( B=1.527, P=0.030), suggesting that both are negatively correlated with the degree of anhedonia. Conclusion:DRD2 methylation may be influenced by early-life trauma, but its role in the pathogenesis of MD and its association with depression severity require further investigation.
4.Brain functional magnetic resonance imaging changes in patients with depression after acupuncture treatment: ALE meta-analysis
Jing TANG ; Juan YU ; Ziyao GENG ; Yating YUE ; Jingxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):1005-1011
Objective:Through the meta-analysis of activation likelihood estimation (ALE), the functional magnetic resonance imaging research evidence of acupuncture in the treatment of depression was systematically integrated to analyze the effect of acupuncture on brain activity in patients with depression and systematically reveal its potential neural mechanism.Methods:The literatures which used functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore brain image changes of patients with depression after receiving acupuncture intervention were retrieved from CNKI, VIP database, Wanfang database, PubMed, Embase, EBSCO host MEDLINE and Web of Science database. The retrieval time is from the establishment of the database to March 2025. Data processing was performed using the ALE method by the Ginger ALE 2.3 software. The coordinates of the subjects included in the study were extracted, and the brain regions with abnormal spontaneous brain activity in patients with depression were integrated and analyzed.Results:A total of 28 articles involving 770 subjects were included. Depressed patients receiving acupuncture exhibited increased brain activity in the bilateral medial frontal gyrus and bilateral anterior cingulate cortex. Exploratory analysis revealed that depressed patients receiving acupuncture exhibited reduced activation in the left posterior cerebellar lobe (MNI: x, y, z = -6, -68, -21; x, y, z = -9, -81, -9) compared to healthy controls (voxel sum=5 824 mm 3,P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with depression who received acupuncture intervention exhibited relatively consistent activation in brain regions compared to depressed patients who did not receive acupuncture and healthy individuals. Compared to healthy individuals, patients with depression who received acupuncture showed reduced activation in the left posterior cerebellum. It is suggested that acupuncture intervention may play a therapeutic role by regulating the functional state of emotion-related brain regions and brain networks.
5.The mediating effect of maladaptive perfectionism between depression and self-injurious function in adolescents with self-injury
Fangfang XU ; Xianfei JIANG ; Xiaodi NIU ; Luning SHANG ; Zhonghua SU
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):1012-1017
Objective:To explore the relationship between depression, perfectionism and self-injurious function in adolescents with self-injury.Methods:A total of 6 149 adolescents from two middle schools were selected by multi-stage random sampling method to conduct a cross-sectional investigation, and 530 cases with self-injurious behaviors were screened out as the self-injury group, while the remaining 5 619 students served as the non-self-injury group.The self-rating depression scale, the Chinese-revised Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale, and the Ottawa self-injury inventory Chinese revised version were used for investigation.SPSS 24.0 software was used for descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation analysis, and the PROCESS 4.1 macro program was used for mediating effect test(model 4)and moderating effect test(model 7).Results:(1)The incidence of self-injury among adolescents was 8.62%(530/6 149), which was significantly different in gender( χ2=50.942, P<0.01) and grade( χ2=37.401, P<0.01). (2)The scores of depression(48(41, 55)) and maladaptive perfectionism(64(53, 76)) in the self-injury group were higher than those in the non-self-injury group(36(29, 43), 49(35, 61)), and the differences were statistically significant( Z=-23.233, -18.599, both P<0.01). (3)Adolescents with self-injury mostly had external emotion regulation(70.38%(373/530)) as the dominant function.(4)The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that self-injurious function was significantly and positively correlated with depression( r=0.382, P<0.01) and maladaptive perfectionism( r=0.356, P<0.01), and depression was significantly and positively correlated with maladaptive perfectionism( r=0.352, P<0.01). (5)Maladaptive perfectionism partially mediated the relationship between depression and self-injurious function( β=0.086, P<0.001), and the mediating effect accounted for 21.88%(0.086/0.393)of the total effect.(6)Gender moderated the first stage of the mediation pathway(depression→maladaptive perfectionism)( β=0.180, P<0.05), which indicated that depression had a stronger predictive effect on maladaptive perfectionism in women( βsimple=0.105, 95% CI=0.063-0.154, P<0.05). Conclusion:In the prediction of depression on self-injurious function, maladaptive perfectionism plays a partial mediating role, and this mediating effect is moderated by gender.
6.Effect of health knowledge and social support on health behaviors in patients with ischemic stroke: the dual mediating effects of health belief and depression
Yuying GUO ; Mengyu ZHANG ; Xinxin ZHOU ; Yuying XIE ; Peng ZHAO ; Juanjuan WANG ; Caixia YANG ; Yuanli GUO ; Ao YUAN ; Qinyang LI ; Shuo DU ; Yanjin LIU ; Lina GUO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):1018-1024
Objective:To explore the dual mediating effects of health belief and depression among health knowledge, social support, and health behaviors based on the capacity, opportunity, motivation-behavior (COM-B) model, and analyze the influencing factors of health behaviors in patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:This multi-center cluster sampling research recruited ischemic stroke patients ( n=1 696) who were hospitalized in neurology departments of five tertiary hospitals in Henan Province from October 2023 to October 2024. A cross-sectional investigation was conducted using the general information questionnaire, social support rating scale (SSRS), stroke prevention knowledge questionnaire(SPKQ), short form health belief model scale(SF-HBMS), health promoting lifestyle profile-Ⅱ (HPLP-Ⅱ), and patient health questionnaire-9(PHQ-9) to ultimately reveal the pathways and effect sizes among variables. Partial correlation analysis and multiple linear stepwise regression analysis were conducted to examine the relationships among social support, health knowledge, health belief, health behaviors, and depression in stroke patients by SPSS 26.0 software. Structural equation modeling was constructed using AMOS 28.0 software, and the mediating effect was tested using the Bootstrap method. Results:The scores of social support, health knowledge, health belief, and health behaviors among ischemic stroke patients were (37.46±9.94), (26.56±6.84), (75.62±12.62) and (130.79±26.27), respectively. The score of depression was 5.00 (2.00, 8.00). Health behaviors were positively correlated with health knowledge, social support, and health belief( r=0.333, 0.246, 0.267, all P<0.05), while negatively correlated with depression ( r=-0.146, P<0.05). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that health knowledge, social support, health belief, and depression were all influencing factors of health behaviors in ischemic stroke patients (all P<0.05). Health belief (effect value=0.068, 95% CI=0.048-0.093) and depression (effect value=0.009, 95% CI=0.003-0.018) both played partial mediating roles between health knowledge and health behaviors, accounting for 17.3%(0.077/0.446) of the total effect. Meanwhile, health belief (effect value=0.045, 95% CI=0.029-0.063) and depression (effect value=0.016, 95% CI=0.008-0.027) both played partial mediating roles between social support and health behaviors, accounting for 26.5%(0.061/0.230) of the total effect. Conclusion:Health knowledge and social support can not only directly influence health behaviors but also indirectly affect them through health belief and depression in patients with ischemic stroke.
7.Parallel mediating effects of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness between childhood emotional neglect and depression in junior high school students
Lina LI ; Yao LI ; Ruixin WANG ; Zhenshan ZHANG ; Yanhong ZHANG ; Minjie BA ; Xuemei MENG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(11):1025-1029
Objective:To examine the association among childhood emotional neglect, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and depression in junior high school students.Methods:From October to December 2024, a total of 314 junior high school students were recruited in Dongying City, Shandong Province. The Chinese versions of the childhood trauma questionnaire-short form (CTQ-SF), the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D), and the interpersonal needs questionnaire (INQ) were administered for investigation. SPSS 27.0 software was used for common-method bias test, descriptive analysis, difference test, and correlation analysis. Mplus 8.3 software was employed to build a structural equation model, and the Bootstrap method was adopted for mediation analysis.Results:The scores of depression, childhood emotional neglect, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness in junior high school students were 14.00 (9.00, 24.00), 9.00 (5.00, 12.00), 13.00 (8.00, 18.00) and 8.00 (6.00, 19.25), respectively. All variables were positively correlated with one another ( r=0.33-0.51, P<0.01). The total effect of childhood emotional neglect on depression was 0.493 (95% CI=0.396-0.591). The direct effect was 0.126 (95% CI=0.013-0.240), accounting for 25.56%(0.126/0.493) of the total effect. The total indirect effect was 0.367 (95% CI=0.287-0.447), accounting for 74.44%(0.367/0.493) of the total effect. Specifically, the pathway " childhood emotional neglect → thwarted belongingness→ depression" yielded an effect of 0.109, and the pathway " childhood emotional neglect → perceived burdensomeness → depression" yielded an effect of 0.258. Conclusion:Thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness play parallel mediating effects between childhood emotional neglect and depression in junior high school students.
8.Effect of SS31 peptide on cognitive function and oxidative stress in cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease model mice
Yiming YANG ; Yanli JIA ; Jianhua WANG ; Kun LI
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):488-494
Objective:To investigate the effects of SS31 peptide on cognitive function and cortical oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice.Methods:Eighteen SPF grade male 8-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model group and SS31 group according to the random number table method, with nine mice in each group. Additionally, nine C57BL/6J mice with matched weight were selected as the control group. The mice in SS31 group were intraperitoneally injected with SS31 peptide (3 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/mL), while the mice in model group and control group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of 0.9% NaCl solution.The response ability and daily living ability of mice were evaluated by nest building test (NBT).The learning, memory and exploration abilities of mice were assessed by new object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze test (MWM). ELISA was used to detect the levels of β -amyloid protein (Aβ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cerebral cortex of mice, and immunofluorescence (IF) was used to detect the number of Aβ plaques.Flow cytometry was used to detect neuronal apoptosis rate, Nissl staining was used to detect neuronal damage, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe neuronal and mitochondrial morphology. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 25.0 software. One-way ANOVA or repeated measures ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for multi-group comparison. Results:(1) The cognitive evaluation results showed that there were statistically significant differences in NBT latency, 15 hour nest building score, and NOR recognition index among the 3 groups of mice ( F=5.488, 6.750, 10.379, all P<0.05), as well as the platform crossing frequency( H=6.742, P<0.05).The time and group interaction of MWM escape latency in the 3 groups of mice were not significant( F=0.975, P=0.460), but the main effect of time and group were significant( F=14.011, 4.173, both P<0.05).The percentage of platform quadrant dwell time in the model group ((22.91 ± 5.16)%) was lower than that in the control group ((39.96±4.69)%) ( P<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference compared to the SS31 group ((25.18±3.04)%) ( P>0.05). (2) The ELISA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the levels of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ROS in cerebral cortex of the 3 groups of mice ( F=12.634, 43.670, 7.143, all P<0.01).All the above indicators of cerebral cortex in the model group were higher than those in control group and SS31 group (all P<0.05). The IF results also confirmed that the numbers of Aβ40 and Aβ42 plaques in cerebral cortex of the model group were higher than those of the control group and SS31 group (all P<0.05). (3) The results of flow cytometry and Nissl staining showed that there were statistically significant differences in the apoptosis rate and injury rate of cortical neurons among the 3 groups of mice ( F=234.086, 43.800, both P<0.05), and the two indicators of cortical neurons in the model group were higher than those in control group and SS31 group (all P<0.05). The transmission electron microscopy results showed that compared with the control group, the structure and morphology of cortical neurons and mitochondria in the model group were abnormal, while the structure and morphology of the SS31 group were close to normal. Conclusion:SS31 peptide can improve cognitive function in AD model mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in cerebral cortex.
9.Correlation of hippocampal subfield volumes and structural covariance network alterations with memory function in individuals with subjective cognitive decline
Chengmin ZHOU ; Ju ZHANG ; Weiyan JIA ; Jinxin WANG ; Yuefeng LI ; Zhihong CAO ; Yifeng LUO
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):495-502
Objective:To investigate the differences in hippocampal subfield volumes and structural covariance network between participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and healthy individuals, and to analyze the correlations of the volumes of the different subfields and altered covariance brain regions with memory function.Methods:A total of 57 SCD individuals(SCD group) and 44 normal controls(NC group) participants were assessed for memory function using composite scores from the auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and the Wechsler memory scale visual reproduction (VR) test from June 2022 to October 2023.T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from all participants, and hippocampal subfields, cortical regions, and subcortical nuclei were segmented using FreeSurfer to measure the gray matter volume of each structure. A structural covariance network was constructed based on the correlation of gray matter volumes across regions. Statistical analysis was performed using R 4.3.1 software. Inter-group differences in hippocampal subfield volumes were compared using multivariate analysis of covariance. Differences in structural covariance connectivity between groups were assessed using Z-test, while network topology differences were compared through permutation testing. Finally, partial correlation analysis was used to examine correlation of the volumes of the differential hippocampal subfields and covariance brain regions with memory function. Results:The SCD group exhibited significantly lower years of education, AVLT-immediate score, AVLT-delayed score, VR-immediate score, VR-delayed score, and memory function Z-score compared to the NC group ( t=2.064, 3.888, 2.622, 3.222, 4.761, 5.184, all P<0.05). The volumes of the right subiculum((387.75±55.20)mm 3, (352.70±70.25)mm 3), left presubiculum((263.12±38.52)mm 3, (239.79±46.02)mm 3), left subiculum((388.12±49.34)mm 3, (351.74±67.30)mm 3) and left CA1((571.01±80.01)mm 3, (526.51±98.80)mm 3) in the SCD group were smaller than the corresponding volumes in NC group ( F=9.139, 8.039, 11.207, 7.266, all P<0.05, FDR correction). Differences in structural covariance connectivity were found between the SCD and NC groups in the following pairs: right CA1-right subiculum, right CA1-left subiculum, right CA3-left parasubiculum and right hippocampus-amygdala transition area-left subiculum ( Z=-3.848, -3.896, -3.597, -3.895, all P<0.05, FDR correction).Partial correlation analysis revealed that in the SCD group, the volume of the left subiculum ( r=0.359, P=0.007), left CA1 ( r=0.430, P=0.001), right entorhinal cortex ( r=0.296, P=0.029), right middle temporal gyrus ( r=0.361, P=0.007), right parahippocampal gyrus ( r=0.313, P=0.021)were positively correlated with the total memory function score. Conclusion:Hippocampal subfields atrophy, as well as alterations in structural covariance network, have been found in SCD individuals. Furthermore, the decline in memory function may be closely associated with atrophy in hippocampal subfields and structurally covariant regions.
10.Abnormalities of mirror homotopic connectivity and gray matter volume of brain in patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus: an magnetic resonance imaging study
Yifan LI ; Huayu SHEN ; Pengxin HU ; Junyi GAO ; Jianguo XIA ; Jinhua CHEN ; Ji ZHANG ; Weizhong TIAN
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2025;34(6):503-509
Objective:To investigate the characteristics of resting-state mirror homotopic connectivity and the gray matter volume of brain in patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE).Methods:From June 2020 to March 2023, a total of 35 NPSLE patients (NPSLE group) and 30 non-NPSLE patients (non-NPSLE group) were selected from Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, another 31 healthy volunteers were recruited as the healthy controls(HC group). All participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) assessments. The patients in NPSLE and non-NPSLE groups were additionally assessed using the fatigue scale for motor and cognitive functions (FSMC) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS).The DPABI V7.0 toolkit based on the MATLAB platform was used to preprocess the rs-fMRI data and calculate the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC) indexes, and the differences in VMHC between groups were evaluated by covariance analysis in SPM12.0 software, and the VMHC values of brain regions with significant differences were extracted for further comparison between the two groups.Partial correlation analysis was performed to investigate the association between VMHC values and clinical parameters in NPSLE patients.The brain regions with significant differences between NPSLE patients and non-NPSLE patients were used as region of interest (ROI), and gray matter volumes within these ROIs were then calculated by VBM8 toolbox.Results:(1)There were statistically significant differences in the VMHC values of bilateral precentral gyrus, bilateral dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, bilateral medial and paracingulate gyrus, bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral middle occipital gyrus, bilateral postcentral gyrus, and bilateral superior temporal gyrus among the 3 groups( F=11.246-14.102, all P<0.05). The NPSLE group exhibited significantly lower VMHC values in these regions compared to both the non-NPSLE group and HC group (all P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in these regions between the non-NPSLE group and HC group (all P>0.05).(2) The gray matter volumes of bilateral dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus(right: (0.57±0.11)mm 3, (0.65±0.08)mm 3, t=-3.409, P=0.001; left: (0.53±0.10)mm 3, (0.60±0.07)mm 3, t=-3.082, P=0.003), bilateral precentral gyrus(right: (0.32±0.06)mm 3, (0.35±0.04)mm 3, t=-2.044, P=0.045; left: (0.39±0.06)mm 3, (0.42±0.04)mm 3, t=-2.505, P=0.015), right medial and paracingulate gyrus((0.66±0.08)mm 3, (0.70±0.07)mm 3, t=-2.491, P=0.015) and left superior temporal gyrus((0.57±0.09)mm 3, (0.61±0.06)mm 3, t=- 2.344, P=0.022) in the NPSLE group were smaller than those of non-NPSLE group.(3)Correlation analysis showed that the VMHC value of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus was positively correlated with IgA level in NPSLE patients ( r=0.353, P=0.047). Conclusion:Patients with NPSLE generally have decreased mirror homotopy functional connectivity in the cerebral hemispheres, accompanied by a decrease in gray matter volume in some brain regions, which can provide a certain neuroimaging basis for the pathogenesis of brain injury.

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