Associations between cerebral small vessel disease and reduced forced vital capacity and expiratory volume in a general healthy Swedish elder population study–Good Aging in Skåne

BackgroundCerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is one of the most important causes of cognitive decline. Only a few previous studies have evaluated lung function measures in relation to brain neuropathological changes, and even less studies on specific lesions and areas that could shed light on mechanisms of CSVD.ObjectiveThe aim was to study the association between lung function and CSVD in the general elder population.Methods379 participants, aged 72-87 years from the general population study 'Good Aging in Skåne study (GÅS)'were investigated with a 3 T MRI brain examination and spirometry. Z-scores of FEV₁ and FVC were calculated using the GLI 2012 equations. Age-adjusted associations between white matter hyperintensities (WMH), medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), lacunar infarction, cerebral atrophies and cerebral microbleeds and lung function were calculated and stratified for sex.ResultsDecreased FEV₁ and FVC z-scores below ≤ -1.0 were both associated with increased risk of WMI and global cortical atrophy. Decreased FVC z-scores were also associated with MTA and lacunar infarction in women and precuneus atrophy in men. The associations for WMH, MTA and lacunar infarctions and higher STRIVE score were noted among women, but not among men. FEV₁ z scores were not related to diabetes, coronary artery disease or stroke.ConclusionsLower lung function was associated to MRI markers of CSVD in this general healthy population, particularly with WMH, especially for women. Although possible shared risk factors exist between lung and heart disease, lung function should be recognized in future studies on CSVD.