White matter free water mediates the associations between placental growth factor, white matter hyperintensities, and cognitive status.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Placental growth factor (PlGF) may regulate cerebrovascular permeability. We hypothesized that white matter interstitial fluid accumulation, estimated via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) free water (FW), would explain the associations between elevated PlGF, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), and cognitive impairment.

Methods

MarkVCID consortium participants ≥55 years old with plasma PlGF and brain MRI were included. We tested cross-sectionally whether FW mediated the associations between PlGF and WMH, or PlGF and cognition, measured using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale and an executive function (EF) composite (Uniform Data Set version 3 [UDS3]-EF).

Results

For 370 participants (mean age 72), a higher PlGF was associated with higher FW, higher

SUBMITTER: Kern KC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11848340 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature