Enlarged perivascular spaces are associated with decreased brain tau deposition

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) in the basal ganglia (BG) and centrum semiovale (CSO) with beta‐amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition in older adults with a diverse cognitive spectrum. Methods A total of 163 (68 cognitively normal and 95 cognitively impaired) older participants underwent [11C] Pittsburgh compound B and [18F] AV‐1451 PET, and MRI. EPVS in the BG and CSO and other small vessel disease markers, such as white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and deep and lobar microbleeds, were assessed. Results Increased EPVS in the BG showed a significant association with lower cerebral tau deposition, even after controlling for other small vessel disease markers. Further exploratory analyses showed that this association was significant in cognitively impaired, Aβ‐positive, or APOE4‐positive individuals, but not significant in the cognitively normal, Aβ‐negative, or APOE4‐negative participants. In contrast to EPVS in the BG, EPVS in the CSO did not have any relationship with cerebral tau deposition. In addition, none of the two types of EPVS were associated with cerebral Aβ deposition. Conclusion Brain tau deposition appears to be reduced with increased EPVS in the BG, especially in individuals with cognitive impairment, pathological amyloid burden, or genetic Alzheimer's disease risk. Enlarged perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia were associated with decreased tau burden, especially in individuals with cognitive impairment, pathological amyloid burden, or genetic Alzheimer's disease risk. In contrast to the enlarged perivascular spaces in the basal ganglia, enlarged perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale did not associate with cerebral tau burden.