Brain abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus using an advanced multi-parametric MR imaging method of MULTIPLEX: a feasibility study

Quantitative MRI can measure a variety of physiological tissue parameters, such as longitudinal T1 value, transverse T2 value and proton density, iron content and fat content. We applied an advanced multi-parametric MR imaging technique of MULTIPLEX that provides the maps of T1, T2*, proton density and quantitative susceptibility mapping, to investigate the brain abnormalities in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We found that the MULTIPLEX could provide comprehensive and quantitative assessment of SLE-related regions captured in multiple MRI parameters, which might assist in our understanding of the neuropathological mechanism of SLE.