Work

Chronic kidney disease and blood‐based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: the brain in kidney disease study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Reduced kidney function affects the levels of many Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) blood-based biomarkers (BBMs). The extent to which kidney function is associated with serum levels of brain-derived tau (BD-tau), a novel BBM specific for Alzheimer's disease-type neurodegeneration, is unknown. METHODS: ADRD BBMs were measured in stored serum samples from 443 BRain IN Kidney Disease study participants (mean age 68.9 years, 49% female). RESULTS: , 34.16 [20.47] for eGFR 15 to 29, 22.89 [23.43] for eGFR 30 to 44, 16.76 [19.88] for eGFR 45 to 59, and 9.19 [9.05] for eGFR ≥60. Greater urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR; greater albuminuria) was positively associated with levels of serum BD-tau: BD-tau 39.84 pg/mL [SD 31.76] for UACR > 300 mg/g, 22.57 [21.59] for UACR 30 to 300, and 14 [10.72] for UACR < 30. These trends were consistent for all levels of cognitive impairment (CI; from no CI to severe CI) and persisted following adjustment for age, race, sex, and education. In contrast, associations of kidney function with the pTau217/BD-tau ratio were generally non-significant. DISCUSSION: Kidney function needs to be considered when interpreting BD-tau levels.

Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia

DOI: 10.1002/alz.71940