Diffuse T1-MRI White Matter Volume Decrease in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

International audienceSickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder associated with anemia, chronic vascular damage, overt stroke, silent cerebral infarctions, and early mortality. Patients with SCD have increased cerebral blood flow to compensate for their anemia but nevertheless exhibit regional cerebralhypo-perfusion and neurocognitive decline. Previous volumetric studies in SCD have shown delayed growth, gray matter (GM) loss, white matter (WM) loss, and decreased cortical thickness compared with control subjects. Diffusion-tensor imaging have demonstrated compromised WM integrity in major fiber pathways diffusely throughout the brain. Further regional investigations of structural outcome could potentially help expand our understanding of the neurobiology of SC