Enlarged Perivascular Spaces Among Hispanic and Latino Adults in SOL-INCA-MRI

To examine preliminary associations between enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS) and cerebrovascular small-vessel disease, cortical atrophy, and cognitive impairment among a select cohort of Hispanic and Latino adults. The Hispanic and Latino population has a higher prevalence of dementia and vascular disease but is underrepresented in dementia research. This study addresses this gap by investigating ePVS in a large convenience cohort of Hispanic and Latino individuals.

Brain magnetic resonance images from a convenience sample of 2161 participants, including 28.8% of individuals aged >50 years with cognitive impairment from the SOL-INCA-MRI (Study of Latinos-Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging Magnetic Resonance Imaging) study were analyzed. ePVS volume in the cerebral white matter was quantified using an automated method and then residualized with total cerebral volume. Associations between residualized mean ePVS volumes and demographic factors, magnetic resonance imaging measures, and cognitive impairment were assessed using regression models.

Residualized mean ePVS volume was significantly associated with age (P<0.001) and varied significantly by Hispanic and Latino heritage. After adjusting for age, sex, education, and heritage, ePVS volume was associated with infarction on magnetic resonance imaging (P=0.03), white matter hyperintensity volume (P<0.001), presence of cerebral microbleeds (P=0.009), cortical gray matter (P<0.001), and hippocampal (P<0.001) atrophy. Participants who are cognitively impaired also had significantly larger ePVS volumes (P=0.004). No significant sex differences in ePVS volume were observed when adjusting for head size.

This convenience sample of Hispanic and Latino individuals demonstrates significant associations between ePVS volume and established markers of cerebrovascular small-vessel disease, cortical atrophy, and cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that ePVS may be useful as an additional marker of vascular brain injury within this cohort.