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Kidney function and brain health: cognitive and structural signatures across cohorts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is linked to cognitive decline, yet the roles of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and its variability remain unclear. METHODS: We analyzed 6847 adults from two population-based cohorts (the Multimodality MEdical imaging sTudy bAsed on KaiLuan Study [META-KLS], UK Biobank) and 426 CKD patients from Beijing Friendship Hospital (BFH)-CKD. Exposures included eGFR level and variability. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and brain structure by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS: In META-KLS, higher cumulative eGFR was associated with higher MoCA scores (β = 0.350; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.148 to 0.552), whereas greater eGFR variability was associated with lower MoCA scores (β = -0.454; 95% CI: -0.659 to -0.250). Across cohorts, higher eGFR was associated with white matter, superior frontal, and middle temporal volumes. In META-KLS, greater variability showed nominal inverse associations with inferior parietal and middle temporal volumes and reduced rostral anterior cingulate cortex thickness. DISCUSSION: Lower eGFR and greater eGFR variability were associated with lower MoCA scores and region-specific structural brain alterations.

Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia

DOI: 10.1002/alz.71840