Assessment of cerebral blood flow regulation using arterial spin labelling MRI: an exploratory investigation in individuals with lupus

• Grant number: 25/05527-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: October 15, 2025
• End date: April 12, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Hamilton Augusto Roschel da Silva
• Grantee: Indyanara Cristina Ribeiro
• Supervisor: Tiago Pecanha de Oliveira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), England
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/08603-5 - Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: contribution of peripheral chemoreflex, impact on cerebral blood flow and associations with physical inactivity., BP.DR

Abstract

This proposal includes a project that will investigate cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation in individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects multiple body systems and often leads to cognitive dysfunction, which can significantly impact patients' quality of life. Research suggests that alterations in the regulation of CBF can contribute to cognitive dysfunction, however, this has not been comprehensively described in SLE. This exploratory cross-sectional study aims to investigate the associations between changes in CBF regulation and cognitive dysfunction in SLE. A total of 16 individuals with SLE and 10 age- and body-mass-matched healthy controls will undergo a comprehensive assessment, including cognitive function evaluation, arterial stiffness measurement, blood sampling, and CBF using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI (rest and functional). CBF and the other outcomes will be compared between SLE patients with and without cognitive dysfunction and the healthy controls using inferential statistics. The findings of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the role of CBF dysregulation in the pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction in SLE and may inform future therapeutic interventions. The PhD candidate will contribute to the data collection and analysis of the project, particularly in the assessment and analysis of CBF using ASL-MRI. Therefore, participation in this project will provide a great opportunity for hands-on training in a new imaging technique that can be utilized in her or her group's projects in Brazil in the future.