Small Vessel Disease MRI Marker Linked to Worse Cognitive Health in Older Adults

A study published in Neurology found seemingly innocuous fluid-filled spaces around cerebral small vessels, typically visualized on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in older adults, are now linked with worse cognitive health, reports ScienceDaily . In comparison with common markers of small vessel disease, study results revealed more frequent association between enlarged perivascular spaces and cognition than anticipated. "These areas contributed to worse cognitive health in a way that was distinct from the other markers of small vessel disease," says Vanderbilt University Medical Center Professor Angela Jefferson. The researchers investigated whether each of the imaging markers related to such cognitive activities as language, memory, visuospatial skills, information processing speed, and executive functioning, as well as whether each marker reflected a common or unique pathway of injury. White matter hyperintensities and cognition, including language, were most often associated with enlarged perivascular spaces. Surprisingly, the next most frequent connections were between enlarged perivascular spaces and information processing speed and executive functioning.