Increased Amygdalar Activity is Associated with Aortic Vascular Inflammation Independent of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Psoriasis

Authors

• A Goyal
• AD Belur
• A Chaturvedi
• AK Dey
• YA Elnabawi
• AA Joshi
• JA Rodante
• A Sajja
• N Nanda
• MP Playford
• NN Mehta

Abstract

Patients with psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory condition, have increased aortic vascular inflammation (VI) by 18-FDG PET/CT when compared to age and sex matched non-psoriatic controls. Analyzing amygdalar FDG uptake permits estimation of perceived stress. A comparison showing amygdalar activity and its association with vascular inflammation in psoriatics vs non-psoriatic controls has not been shown. Psoriatic patients and non-psoriatic controls underwent 18-FDG PET/CT (psoriasis n=157, controls n=65). Both groups were middle aged and predominantly males with low cardiovascular risk as measured by Framingham Risk score (Median [IQR]: 2.0 [0.6-5.6] vs 1.3 [0.4 – 5.2]; p0.09). However, the psoriatic group had increased VI (Mean [SD]: 1.69 [0.27] vs 1.59 [0.21]; p=0.006) and increased amygdalar activity (mean [SD]: 1.10 [0.11] vs 1.04 [0.11]; p

Scientific Focus Area: Epidemiology

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