Abnormal Brain Function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Meta-Analysis of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This meta-analysis investigated the neurophysiological underpinnings of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by examining resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) profiles of SLE patients in comparison to healthy controls. Rs-fMRI studies up to November 10, 2022 were extracted from five principal databases: Medline, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, and WanFang. The analysis included data from 13 distinct studies involving 934 participants. Applying the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method, this study extracted coordinate data detailing functional disparities between the SLE cohort and controls. The findings indicated reduced activity in the right precentral gyrus (coordinates X = 26, Y = -6, Z = 72; ALE = 0.02155 and X = 26, Y = -18, Z = 68; ALE = 0.01767) and the right parahippocampal gyrus (X = 24, Y = -54, Z = 4; ALE = 0.01978). Conversely, increased activity was observed in the right middle frontal gyrus (X = 36, Y = 42, Z = 32; ALE = 0.01997) and the left lentiform nucleus (X = -18, Y = 14, Z = -8; ALE = 0.02057). These insights enhanced the understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms in SLE, providing valuable information for diagnostic and therapeutic imaging strategies. Key Words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Meta-analysis, Activation likelihood estimation, Resting-state, Functional magnetic resonance imaging.