High baseline perivascular space volume in basal ganglia is associated with attention and executive function decline in Parkinson's disease

Abstract Background Pathologic perivascular spaces (PVS), the fluid‐filled compartments surrounding brain vasculature, may underlie cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether this impacts specific cognitive domains has not been investigated. Objectives This study examined the relationship of PVS volume at baseline with domain‐specific and global cognitive change over 2 years in PD individuals. Methods A total of 39 individuals with PD underwent 3T T1w magnetic resonance imaging to determine PVS volume fraction (PVS volume normalized to total regional volume) within (i) centrum semiovale, (ii) prefrontal white matter (medial orbitofrontal, rostral middle frontal, and superior frontal), and (iii) basal ganglia. A neuropsychological battery included assessment of cognitive domains and global cognitive function at baseline and after 2 years. Results Higher basal ganglia PVS at baseline was associated with greater decline in attention, executive function, and global cognition scores. Conclusions While previous reports have associated elevated PVS volume in the basal ganglia with decline in global cognition in PD, our findings show such decline may affect the attention and executive function domains.