The influence of cognitive status on perivascular space enlargement trajectories in a longitudinal aging cohort

Perivascular space (PVS) enlargement is associated with dysfunctional waste clearance and can hinder the removal of toxic metabolic substrates, such as amyloid beta (Aβ). Increased PVS visibility in white matter has been observed in cross‐sectional studies of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (AD). However, the utility of PVS morphology as a diagnostic biomarker for AD pathology is hindered by the lack of knowledge regarding the time course of PVS alterations across diagnostic groups. In the present study, we characterize the relationship between cognitive status and PVS morphological trajectories with age in a longitudinal cohort. Findings from this study will provide insight into the role of waste clearance processes in AD disease pathogenesis.