Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Perfusion and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Lupus

The purpose of this study is to find out if certain types of Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanning will help to better detect markers in the brain that are related to the neuropsychiatric symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A small percentage of patients who have this type of lupus experience symptoms that may result from a blood clot or change in blood vessel structure in the brain. These neuropsychiatric symptoms can include an inability to think clearly, a change in level of awake and/or awareness, and in the worst cases, seizure and stroke. Another goal of the study is to find out if individuals with fibromyalgia (FM), or chronic pain, have symptom-related markers in any of these scans as well. Better and earlier detection of markers that are related to acute neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and FM will be helpful to all who are affected by these diseases.