Magnetic resonance abnormalities associated with cognitive dysfunction in primary Sjogren Syndrome

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and cognitive functioning in a group of patients with primary Sjogren Syndrome (SS). Methods Fifteen subjects with primary SS and fifteen control subjects diagnosed with migraine were assessed. All subjects received a detailed, neuropsychological assessment especially sensitive to fronto-subcortical disorders and a MRI study. Volumetric measures of the ventricular system and intracranial volume and measures of the severity and distribution of signal hyperintensities were obtained. Results Patients with SS showed larger ventricular volume than control subjects with migraine. The severity of MRI signal hyperintensities and ventricular volume were related to several cognitive and psychiatric variables. Conclusion Patients with primary SS have morphological abnormalities that are related to neuropsychological and psychiatric disturbances. These findings provide some support for the organic etiology of cognitive and psychiatric dysfunction and thus for central nervous system involvement in SS.