BackgroundThe mechanism of cognitive dysfunction in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still not fully understood. Even though many SLE patients present some neurological dysfunction, including various cognitive deficits, neither a specific pattern of cognitive dysfunction nor specific structural changes associated with cognitive impairment in SLE patients have been established. Moreover, although prevalent and bothersome, cognitive deficits have not been included in the most recent SLE diagnostic criteria.PurposeThe aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the presence of white matter lesions (WMLs) and cognitive dysfunction in patients diagnosed with SLE.Research Design33 SLE patients underwent 3 T brain magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and an extensive battery of psychological tests, including Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) and the standard pen and paper neuropsychological tests. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the presence (