Association of enlarged perivascular spaces with cognitive function in dementia‐free older adults: A population‐based study

Abstract

IntroductionWe sought to characterize cognitive profiles associated with enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) among Chinese older adults.MethodsThis population‐based study included 1191 dementia‐free participants (age ≥60 years) in the MIND‐China MRI Substudy (2018–2020). We visually evaluated EPVS in basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), lacunes, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and cortical superficial siderosis. We used a neuropsychological test battery to assess cognitive function. Data were analyzed using general linear models.ResultsGreater BG‐EPVS load was associated with lower z‐scores in memory, verbal fluency, and global cognition (p < 0.05); these associations became non‐significant when controlling for other cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers (e.g., WMHs, lacunes, and mixed CMBs). Overall, CSO‐EPVS load was not associated with cognitive z‐scores (p > 0.05); among apolipoprotein E (APOE) ‐ε4 carriers, greater CSO‐EPVS load was associated with lower verbal fluency z‐score, even when controlling for other CSVD markers (p < 0.05).DiscussionThe associations of BG‐EPVS with poor cognitive function in older adults are largely attributable to other CSVD markers.HIGHLIGHTS The association of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) with cognitive function in older people is poorly defined. The association of basal ganglia (BG)‐EPVS with poor cognition is attributed to other cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) markers. In apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 carriers, a higher centrum semiovale (CSO)‐EPVS load is associated with poorer verbal fluency.