Relation of MRI visible perivascular spaces with global and regional brain structural connectivity measures: The Framingham Heart Study (FHS)

Oluchi Ekenze, Stephan Seiler, Adlin Pinheiro, Charles DeCarli, Pedram Parva, Mohamad Habes, Andreas Charidimou, Pauline Maillard, Alexa Beiser, Sudha Seshadri, Serkalem Demissie, Jose Rafael Romero

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

MRI visible perivascular spaces (PVS) are associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, which are also associated with disrupted network connectivity. PVS may relate to dementia risk through disruption in brain connectivity. We studied the relation between PVS grade and global and regional structural connectivity in Framingham Heart Study participants free of stroke and dementia. PVS were rated on axial T2 sequences in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO). We assessed structural global and regional network architecture using global efficiency, local efficiency and modularity. Analysis of covariance was used to relate PVS grades with structural network measures. Models adjusted for age, sex (model 1), and vascular risk factors (model 2). Effect modification on the associations by age, sex, hypertension and APOE-ɛ4 status was assessed. Among 2525 participants (mean age 54 ± 13 years, 53 % female), significant associations were observed between grade III and IV PVS in the BG and CSO with reduced global efficiency. Grade III (β −0.0030; 95 % confidence interval [CI] −0.0041, −0.0019) and IV (β −0.0033, CI −0.0060, −0.0007) PVS in the BG and grade IV (β −0.0015; CI −0.0024, −0.0007) PVS in the CSO were associated with reduced local efficiency. We observed shared and different strength of association by age, hypertension, sex and APOE-ɛ4 in the relationship between high burden PVS in the BG and CSO with structural network measures. Findings suggest that higher grade PVS are associated with disruption of global and regional structural brain networks.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalNeurobiology of Aging
Volume150
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2025

Keywords

  • Basal ganglia
  • Centrum semiovale
  • Global efficiency
  • Local efficiency
  • MRI visible perivascular spaces
  • Modularity
  • Structural brain connectivity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Aging
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Relation of MRI visible perivascular spaces with global and regional brain structural connectivity measures: The Framingham Heart Study (FHS)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this