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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.08.17.608337

Biological sex and BMI influence the longitudinal evolution of adolescent and young adult MRI-visible perivascular spaces

Yamamoto, E. A.·Koike, S.·Wong, C.·Dennis, L.·Luther, M. N.·Scatena, A.·Khambadkone, S.·Iliff, J.·Lim, M. M.·Levendovszky, S. R.·Elliott, J.·Barisano, G.·Muller-Oehring, E.·Morales, A. M.·Baker, F.·Nagel, B.·Piantino, J.
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Abstract

Background and PurposeAn 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 MethodsThis 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). ResultsOn 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 persons 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 persons average BMI was associated with a 0.021 mm3/cm3 increase in MV-PVS volume (p<0.001). ConclusionThis longitudinal study showed sex differences in MV-PVS features during adolescence and young adulthood. Importantly, we report that increases in BMI from a persons 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.

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Yamamoto, E. A., Koike, S., Wong, C., Dennis, L., Luther, M. N., Scatena, A., Khambadkone, S., Iliff, J., Lim, M. M., Levendovszky, S. R., Elliott, J., Barisano, G., Muller-Oehring, E., Morales, A. M., Baker, F., Nagel, B., Piantino, J.. 2024-08-19. Biological sex and BMI influence the longitudinal evolution of adolescent and young adult MRI-visible perivascular spaces. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.08.17.608337

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