Abstract WP135: Coexistence of Enlarged Perivascular Spaces and Other MRI Markers of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases

Abstract

Objective: Enlarged Perivascular Spaces (EPVS) have gained recognition as potential indicators of cerebrovascular pathologies. In this study, we investigated the association between the presence and severity of EPVS and other MRI Markers of cerebral small vessel diseases. Method: Our study was conducted on a subset of the Geisinger DiscovEHR Initiative Cohort. A predefined protocol was employed to evaluate each brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data by two trained reviewers. The total numbers of EPVS were categorized into five grades (0-4) in centrum semiovale and basal ganglia regions. We compared patients with EPVS and an age-, gender-, body mass index-, and hypertension-propensity-score-matched cohort lacking EPVS. Results: Out of 3054 (mean age of 67.5 years, 97% white of Caucasian descent) randomly selected participants, 1465 (47.9%, mean age 69.9 years) showed evidence of EPVS in their imaging. Propensity score matching resulted in 1310 participants in each group. The presence of EPVS in basal ganglia was linked to higher white matter hyperintensity according to the Fazekas scale in deep white matter (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2-1.6), as well as global cortical atrophy (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.1-1.4) on MRI scans. Other factors, such as cerebral aneurysm (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.8), heart failure (OR, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.3-2.6), smoking (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.1-1.8) exhibited associations. Moreover, an increased burden of EPVS correlated with higher Fazekas scales in periventricular and deep white matter. Conclusion: The presence and severity of EPVS exhibited are associated with MRI markers of white matter hyperintensity and global cortical atrophy. EPVS may be a marker of an aging brain and cerebral small vessel diseases. It might be associated with cerebrovascular risk factors.