Altered cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity in sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) often experience cognitive deficits and chronic pain, but the cerebral mechanisms underlying these symptoms remain unclear. Elevated cerebral blood flow (CBF) is a compensatory response to anemia, yet its impact on brain function and perception is not well understood.

Objective

To examine alterations in cerebral perfusion and resting-state brain function in adults with SCD and their associations with cognition and pain sensitivity.

Methods

Seven adults with SCD and 3 healthy controls underwent arterial spin labeling (ASL) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Metrics included global/regional CBF, resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF). Participants complete

SUBMITTER: Sop DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12476913 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature