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MRI-visible Dilated Perivascular Space in the Brain by Age: The Human Connectome Project
Hyun Gi Kim1, Na-Young Shin1, Yoonho Nam1
1From the Department of Radiology, Eunpyeong St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea (H.G.K.); Department of Radiology, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Republic of Korea (N.Y.S., K.J.A.); Division of Biomedical Engineering, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yongin, Republic of Korea (Y.N.); Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Bio and Medical Sciences, Daegu Catholic University, Daegu, Republic of Korea (E.Y., U.Y.); and Biostatistics Collaboration Unit, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea (H.S.L.).
Insights
Dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) volume in the brain shows a biphasic pattern, decreasing until the mid-30s and increasing thereafter. This study provides normative data for dPVS burden across different age groups.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) are linked to aging and various neurological conditions.
- Limited data exists on dPVS burden in younger populations and comprehensive normative data across the lifespan.
- Understanding age-related changes in dPVS is crucial for diagnosing and managing associated disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the burden of dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) in a healthy population across a wide age range.
- To establish normative data for dPVS volume and visual grading stratified by age.
- To analyze the relationship between age and dPVS burden, including in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 3D T2-weighted brain MRI scans from the Human Connectome Project.
- Visual grading and automated volumetry were used to quantify dPVS in basal ganglia (BGdPVS) and white matter (WMdPVS).
- Linear and nonlinear regression models assessed the association between dPVS volume and age, with cutoff ages identified.
Main Results:
- A total of 1789 participants (age 8-100 years) were analyzed, revealing a significant relationship between age and dPVS volume (R² range, 0.41-0.55; P < .001).
- dPVS volume exhibited a biphasic pattern: negative correlation with age until the mid-30s, followed by a positive correlation until age 55 and beyond.
- Normative data indicated specific grade cutoffs for BGdPVS and WMdPVS based on age decades, with higher grades associated with older age.
Conclusions:
- Dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) demonstrate a biphasic volume pattern with age, characterized by lower volumes until the mid-30s and increased volumes thereafter.
- Visual grades of 3 or higher for BGdPVS and grade 4 for WMdPVS may indicate pathologic dPVS.
- This study provides essential normative data for dPVS, aiding in the interpretation of imaging findings across the lifespan.
Abstract:
Background Dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) are associated with aging and various disorders; however, the effect of age on dPVS burden in young populations and normative data have not been fully evaluated. Purpose To investigate the dPVS burden and provide normative data according to age in a healthy population, including children. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, three-dimensional T2-weighted brain MRI scans from the Human Connectome Project data sets were used for visual grading (grade 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 for 0, 1-10, 11-20, 21-40, and >40 dPVS on a single section of either hemispheric region) and automated volumetry of dPVS in basal ganglia (BGdPVS) and white matter (WMdPVS). Linear and nonlinear regression were performed to assess the association of dPVS volume with age. Optimal cutoff ages were determined with use of the maximized continuous-scale C-index. Participants were grouped by cutoff values. Linear regression was performed to assess the age-dPVS volume relationship in each age group. Normative data of dPVS visual grades were provided per age decade. Results A total of 1789 participants (mean age, 35 years; age range, 8-100 years; 1006 female participants) were evaluated. Age was related to dPVS volume in all regression models (R2 range, 0.41-0.55; P < .001). Age-dPVS volume relationships were altered at the mid-30s and age 55 years; BGdPVS and WMdPVS volumes negatively correlated with age until the mid-30s (β, -1.2 and -7.8), then positively until age 55 years (β, 3.3 and 54.1) and beyond (β, 3.9 and 42.8; P < .001). The 90th percentile for dPVS grades was grade 1 for age 49 years and younger, grade 2 for age 50-69 years, and grade 3 for age 70 years and older (overall, grade 2) for BGdPVS, and grade 3 for age 49 years and younger and grade 4 for age 50 years and older (overall, grade 3) for WMdPVS. Conclusion Dilated perivascular spaces (dPVS) showed a biphasic volume pattern with brain MRI, lower volumes until the mid-30s, then higher afterward. Grades of 3 or higher and 4 might be considered pathologic dPVS in basal ganglia and white matter, respectively. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Bapuraj and Chaudhary in this issue.
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