Kidney function decline at young age tied to worse cognitive performance later: Study

USA: People who experience episodes of kidney function decline in their young adulthood are at greater risk for worse cognitive performance in their midlife, a recent study in the journal Neurology has suggested. 

Sanaz Sedaghat, National Institute on Aging (L.J.L.), Baltimore, MD, and colleagues tested the hypothesis that end-stage renal disease (ESRD) risk exposure during young adulthood is related to worse cognitive performance in midlife.

For the purpose, the researchers included 2,604 participants from the population-based Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study (mean age 35 years, 54% women, 45% Black). Estimated glomerular filtration rate and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were measured every 5 years at year (Y) 10 through Y30. 

At each visit, moderate/high risk of ESRD according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines (estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or albumin-to-creatinine ratio >30 mg/g) was defined, totaled over examinations, and categorized into 0 episodes, 1 episode, and >1 episodes of ESRD risk. At Y30, participants underwent global and multidomain cognitive assessment. 

Key findings of the study include:

"In this study, we showed that episodes of decline in kidney function over the young-adulthood course are associated with worse cognitive performance at midlife. Preserving kidney function in young age needs to be investigated as a potential strategy to preserve cognitive function in midlife," the researchers concluded. 

The study, "Decline in kidney function over the course of adulthood and cognitive function in midlife," is published in the journal Neurology.

DOI: https://n.neurology.org/content/95/17/e2389