RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Cognitive function and 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT are significantly correlated in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome: a case–control study JF Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases JO Ann Rheum Dis FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and European League Against Rheumatism SP 132 OP 137 DO 10.1136/ard.2008.090811 VO 69 IS 01 A1 V Le Guern A1 C Belin A1 C Henegar A1 C Moroni A1 D Maillet A1 C Lacau A1 J L Dumas A1 N Vigneron A1 L Guillevin YR 2010 UL http://ard.bmj.com/content/69/01/132.abstract AB Objectives: To assess subclinical central nervous system (CNS) involvement in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS), by comparing standard brain MRI, in-depth neuropsychological testing and 99mTc-ECD brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of patients with pSS with matched controls.Methods: 10 women (<55 years old), with pSS defined using European–American criteria, presence of anti-SSA and/or anti-SSB antibodies and no history of neurological involvement were prospectively investigated, and compared with 10 age- and sex-matched controls. All subjects underwent, within 1 month, brain MRI, neuropsychological testing, including overall evaluation and focal cognitive function assessment, and 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT.Results: 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT abnormalities were significantly more common in patients with pSS (10/10) than controls (2/10; p<0.05). Cognitive dysfunctions, mainly expressed as executive and visuospatial disorders, were also significantly more common in patients with pSS (8/10) than controls (0/10; p<0.01). Notably, between-group comparisons enabled a significant correlation to be established between neuropsychological assessment and 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT abnormalities in patients with pSS (rs = 0.49, p<0.01). MRI abnormalities in patients and controls did not differ significantly.Conclusions: Neuropsychological testing and 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT seem to be the most sensitive tools to detect subclinical CNS dysfunction in pSS. The strong correlation between cortical hypoperfusion in 99mTc-ECD brain SPECT and cognitive dysfunction suggests an organic aetiology of CNS dysfunction in pSS. These data should be confirmed in a larger study.