Biological Sex and Body Mass Index Influence the Longitudinal Evolution of Adolescent and Young Adult Magnetic...

An association recently emerged between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-visible perivascular spaces (MV-PVS) with intracerebral solute clearance and neuroinflammation, in adults. However, it is unknown how MV-PVS change throughout adolescence and what factors influence MV-PVS volume and morphology. This study assesses the temporal evolution of MV-PVS volume in adolescents and young adults, and secondarily evaluates the relationship between MV-PVS, age, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

This analysis included a 783 participant cohort from the longitudinal multicenter National Consortium on Alcohol and Neurodevelopment in Adolescence study that involved up to 6 imaging visits spanning 5 years. Healthy adolescents aged 12-21 years at study entry with at least two MRI scans were included. The primary outcome was mean MV-PVS volume (mm³/white matter cm³).

On average, males had greater MV-PVS volume at all ages compared to females. A linear mixed-effect model for MV-PVS volume was performed. Mean BMI and increases in a person's BMI were associated with increases in MV-PVS volume over time. In females only, changes in BMI correlated with MV-PVS volume. One unit increase in BMI above a person's average BMI was associated with a 0.021 mm³/cm³ increase in MV-PVS volume (P < 0.001).

This longitudinal study showed sex differences in MV-PVS features during adolescence and young adulthood. Importantly, we report that increases in BMI from a person's mean BMI are associated with increases in MV-PVS volume in females only. These findings suggest a potential link between MV-PVS, sex, and BMI that warrants future study.