Citation
Yamamoto, E.R., Koike, S., Wong, C., Dennis, L.E., Luther, M.N., Scatena, A., Khambadkone, S., Iliff, J.J., Lim, M.M., Levendovszky, S.R., Elliott, J.E., Müller-Oehring, E.M., Morales A.M., Baker, F.C., Nagel, B.J., Piantino, J. (2024). Biological Sex and BMI influence the longitudinal evolution of adolescent and young adult MRI-visible perivascular spaces. bioRxiv [Preprint]. doi: 10.1101/2024.08.17.608337. PMID: 39229241.
Abstract
Background and Purpose:
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).
Materials and Methods:
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).
Results:
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).
Conclusion:
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.
