Analyzing Cortical Thickness and Volume in patients with Sickle Cell Disease using 7T-MRI

The study compares cortical thickness and volume between patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and healthy controls (HC). There were no significant differences in the cortical thickness and volume of the whole brain between HC and patients with SCD. We found significant differences (p<0.05) in the temporal and parietal regions between HC and patients with SCD. We found significant differences in the parietal and frontal lobes between severe SCD (HbSS) and HC. Between patients with mild SCD (HbSC and HbSβ+thalassemia) and HC, significant differences in cortical thickness in the inferior parietal and lateral occipital regions were found.