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.