Cognitive disorders and brain MRI correlations in primary Sjögren's syndrome: Unlocking the secret of cognitive symptoms

Little is known concerning the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in primary Sjögren's syndrome. However, recent technological advances have made detailed brain imaging studies possible, which have the potential to estimate more precisely the prevalence of CNS lesions in primary Sjögren's syndrome and to provide information on the severity and mechanisms of CNS tissue damage. Novel neuroimaging protocols can provide a window into cerebral organization that is not accessible with conventional imaging methods. Investigation of cognitive function with state of the art high-resolution structural and functional brain MRI could illuminate the mechanisms contributing to subtle cognitive dysfunction and guide the development of specific therapeutic approaches.