Cerebral small vessel disease may worsen motor function, cognition, and mood in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Emerging evidence has suggested that cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) may worsen motor function and cognition in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the effect of CSVD on anxiety and depression in patients with PD remains unknown. This study explored the multi-dimensional effects of CSVD on PD outcomes (motor, cognition, and depression/anxiety).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 431 patients with PD from Beijing Tiantan Hospital from May 2016 to August 2019. CSVD imaging markers were assessed and the four-point CSVD burden score was calculated. Motor function (MDS-UPDRS III score and subscores), cognition (MMSE, MoCA), anxiety (HAMA), and depression (HAMD) were assessed in these patients. The associations of CSVD with these outcomes were analyzed using the Spearman's correlation and multivariable linear regression models.

Results: Motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety were significantly worse in patients with severe CSVD than in those with mild CSVD. Multivariable linear regression showed that CSVD burden was significantly associated with motor dysfunction (MDS-UPDRS III score and rigidity and bradykinesia subscores), impaired cognition, and high levels of depression and anxiety. A marginally significant association was observed between CSVD burden and gait/postural instability in multivariable regression analysis. Among the CSVD imaging markers, white matter hyperintensity, number of lacunes, and microbleeds were positively correlated with the severity of motor, cognitive, and emotional impairments, while the perivascular space in the basal ganglia was only correlated with cognitive impairments.

Conclusions: Comorbid CSVD may affect multiple functional domains in patients with PD. Management of cerebrovascular disease may improve PD outcomes.