Objective: To determine the association of Perivascular Spaces (PVS) and non-motor features in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Background: PVS are the fluid-filled spaces surrounding blood vessels in the brain. PVS comprises one aspect of the glymphatic system, an important glia-lymphatic system responsible for distribution of essential molecules, clearance of waste products including alpha synuclein, and site of immune surveillance in the brain. Recent evidence indicates greater PVS in PD compared to healthy controls, but PVS role in non-motor (cognition and sleep) behaviors and how physical activity and PVS are related remains poorly elucidated.

Method: 3T T1w MRI images was used to determine PVS volume fraction (VF) in centrum semiovale (CSO), basal ganglia, as well as medial orbitofrontal, rostral middle frontal (RMF), and superior frontal white matter regions, and compared to non-motor aspects of PD. Cognition was assessed using a neuropsychological battery. Sleep and physical activity parameters were assessed using a wearable accelerometer (ActiGraph).

Results: There was a significant relationship between RMF PVS VF and global cognition (MOCA) , as well as RMF PVS VF and visual-spatial function. There was also a significant association between CSO and RMF PVS VF and higher average duration of disrupted sleep. Lower RMF PVS VF was also associated with increased minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Conclusion: Increased white matter PVS may be associated with decreased cognition, disrupted sleep, and less physical activity in PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/white-matter-perivascular-spaces-in-parkinsons-disease-are-associated-with-decreased-cognition-interrupted-sleep-and-less-physical-activity/