Enlarged perivascular spaces are associated with decreased brain tau deposition
Koung Mi Kang, Min Soo Byun, Dahyun Yi, Kyung Hoon Lee, Min Jung Kim, Hye‐Jin Ahn, Gijung Jung, Jun‐Young Lee, Yu Kyeong Kim, Yun‐Sang Lee, Chul‐Ho Sohn, Dong Young Lee
Abstract
AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO) with beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition in older adults with a diverse cognitive spectrum. METHODS: F] AV-1451 PET, and MRI. EPVS in the BG and CSO and other small vessel disease markers, such as white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and deep and lobar microbleeds, were assessed. RESULTS: Increased EPVS in the BG showed a significant association with lower cerebral tau deposition, even after controlling for other small vessel disease markers. Further exploratory analyses showed that this association was significant in cognitively impaired, Aβ-positive, or APOE4-positive individuals, but not significant in the cognitively normal, Aβ-negative, or APOE4-negative participants. In contrast to EPVS in the BG, EPVS in the CSO did not have any relationship with cerebral tau deposition. In addition, none of the two types of EPVS were associated with cerebral Aβ deposition. CONCLUSION: Brain tau deposition appears to be reduced with increased EPVS in the BG, especially in individuals with cognitive impairment, pathological amyloid burden, or genetic Alzheimer's disease risk.