Principal Investigator: Andrea Knight, MD, MSCE
Funded by: Cure JM, Lupus Research Alliance and US Department of Defense
Study Goals: To characterize cognitive and psychiatric function in children with JM, compared to patients with cSLE and healthy controls. To characterize neuroimaging metrics in children with JM, compared to patients with cSLE and healthy controls.
Description: This is a cross-sectional exploratory study that will examine cognitive and psychiatric function and investigate brain injury and structural brain changes in a cohort of 15 adolescents with Juvenile Myositis (JM). This data will compare data from childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) patients and healthy controls. We will utilize advanced neuroimaging as well as evaluate cognitive and psychiatric function.
Impact: The biological changes that underlie effects of chronic autoimmune diseases such as JM and cSLE on the developing brain are poorly characterized. While emerging literature suggests that systemic inflammation may potentiate brain inflammation and neuropsychiatric dysfunction, other potential factors contributing to neuropsychiatric dysfunction include pain, fatigue, medications, and the stress of chronic disease. Through this study, we hope to address these gaps in knowledge.