Objective:

To examine the associations between enlarged perivascular spaces (ePVS) and cerebrovascular small vessel disease, cortical atrophy, and cognitive impairment in Hispanic/Latino adults. 

Background:

The Hispanic/Latino population faces higher prevalences of dementia and vascular disease, but is underrepresented in dementia research. This study addresses this gap by investigating ePVS in a large Hispanic/Latino cohort. 

Design/Methods:

Brain MRIs from 2,668 participants in the SOL-INCA-MRI study were analyzed. ePVS volume was quantified using an automated method, and then mean ePVS volumes were residualized with total cerebral volume. Associations between residualized mean ePVS volumes and demographic factors, MRI measures, and cognitive impairment were assessed using regression models. 

Results:

Residualized mean ePVS volume was significantly associated with age (p < 0.001) and varied by Hispanic/Latino heritage. After adjusting for age, sex, and heritage, ePVS volume was associated with MRI infarction (p = 0.01), white matter hyperintensity volume (p < 0.003), presence of cerebral microbleeds (p = 0.004), and cortical gray matter and hippocampal atrophy. Cognitively impaired participants also had significantly larger ePVS volumes (0.21 ± 0.069, p = 0.002). No significant sex differences in ePVS volume were observed when adjusting for head size. Significant differences by heritage were also found, with mean ePVS volume largest among Cuban and smallest among Dominican participants. 

Conclusions:

This study, the largest of ePVS in the Hispanic/Latino population to date, demonstrates significant associations between ePVS volume and established markers of cerebrovascular small vessel disease, cortical atrophy, and cognitive impairment. These findings help fill a large research gap in understanding the etiology of neurocognitive degeneration in Hispanic/Latino adults, and they suggest that ePVS may be a relevant marker of brain health in this population.