Association of cortical morphological similarity network, choroid plexus volume and glycolipid level changes with cognitive performance in cerebral small vessel disease patients with mild cognitive impairment.

INTRODUCTION：: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) related to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a key window for intervention, but its pathogenesis has not yet been elucidated. This study investigated the alterations in cortical morphological similarity network (MSN), choroid plexus (ChP) volume, and glycolipid levels in CSVD patients with MCI, and their associations with cognitive impairment. METHODS：: The MRI data, glycolipid level values, and neuropsychological scores from 33 CSVD patients with MCI (CSVD-MCI), 33 CSVD patients with cognitive normal (CSVD-CN) and 33 normal controls (NC) were collected. Additionally, 10 CSVD-MCI patients and 10 CSVD-CN patients underwent MRI scanning and neuropsychological assessment again after an average interval of 1.3 years. Next, between-group comparisons, longitudinal comparisons, correlation analysis, and neuroimaging transcriptome correlation analysis based on the Allen Human Brain Atlas database were conducted. RESULTS：: (1) In the CSVD-MCI group, the MSN topological properties, MSN gradient scores, bilateral ChP volumes, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value, and blood glucose value were significantly abnormal at baseline and follow-up. (2) The change in MSN gradient 2 score was associated with 444 genes and biological pathways such as synaptic transmission and glucose metabolism. (3) Blood glucose levels and specific high-order network gradient 2 scores were significantly correlated with cognitive performance. (4) The association between increased ChP volume and decreased global cognitive scores was mediated by the abnormal gradient 2 scores of the limbic network. CONCLUSION：: CSVD-related MCI was closely associated with increased ChP volume and MSN disruption.