Neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income associated with white matter grade worsening: Cardiovascular Health Study.

Introduction: We examined whether a combined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood median income was associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and ventricle size changes.
Methods: The sample included 1260 cognitively normal ≥ 65-year-olds with two magnetic resonance images (MRI; ≈ 5 years apart). WMH and ventricular size were graded from 0 (least) to 9 (most) abnormal (worsening = increase of ≥1 grade from initial to follow-up MRI scans). The four-category neighborhood greenspace-income measure was based on median neighborhood greenspace and income values at initial MRI. Multivariable logistic regression tested associations between neighborhood greenspace-income and MRI measures (worsening vs. not).
Results: White matter grade worsening was more likely for those in lower greenspace-lower income neighborhoods than higher greenspace-higher income neighborhoods (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.19-2.51).
Discussion: The combination of lower neighborhood income and lower greenspace may be a risk factor for worsening white matter grade on MRI. However, findings need to be replicated in more diverse cohorts.
Highlights: Population-based cohort of older adults (≥ 65 years) with greenspace and MRI dataCombined measure of neighborhood greenspace and neighborhood income at initial MRIMRI outcomes included white matter hyperintensities (WMH) and ventricular sizeLongitudinal change in MRI outcomes measured approximately 5 years apartWorsening WMH over time more likely for lower greenspace-lower income neighborhoods.
Competing Interests: Lilah Besser, Gina Lovasi, Joyce Jimenez Zambrano, Simone Camacho, Devi Dhanekula, Yvonne L. Michael, Parveen Garg, Jana Hirsch, David Siscovick, Philip M. Hurvitz, Mary Lou Biggs, James Galvin, and Traci Bartz have no conflicts of interest. Will Longstreth serves as a co‐PI for the NIH‐funded ARCADIA trial, which receives in‐kind study drug from the BMS‐Pfizer Alliance and ancillary funding from Roche Diagnostics. Author disclosures are available in the supporting information.
(© 2023 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.)