Memory problems and dementia risk increases in proteinuria (protein in urine) patients. Proteinuria is often indicative of kidney problems, but researchers found that patients with protein in the urine may also be at a higher risk for memory problems. The researchers reviewed all available studies on kidney problems and cognitive impairment.
Author Kay Deckers explained, “Kidney dysfunction has been considered a possible risk factor for cognitive impairment or dementia. Chronic kidney disease and dementia share many risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, and both show similar effects on the brain, so they may have shared vascular factors or there may even be a direct effect on the brain from kidney problems.”
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There were a total of 22 studies included in the review. The involved participants were analyzed for their levels of protein in urine. The researchers found a 35 percent higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia among those with protein in their urine, compared to those without proteinuria. On the other hand, no association was found for another indicator of kidney function – estimated glomerular filtration rate.
Deckers concluded, “Protein in the urine was associated with a modestly increased risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. More research is needed to determine whether the kidney problems are a cause of the cognitive problems or if they are both caused by the same mechanisms.”
Link between kidney function decline and decreased cognitive function: Previous study
Decreased kidney function and reduced cognitive function have been found to be linked. The researchers examined longitudinal data, five years apart, from 590 people. The aim was to track the change in kidney function that has taken place over that time period and to see whether it was associated with a reduction in cognitive functioning.
Lead author Adam Davey said, “The brain and kidney are both organs that are affected by the cardiovascular systems. They are both affected by things like blood pressure and hypertension, so it is natural to expect that changes in one organ are going to be linked with changes in another.”
The researchers found that the greater the reduction in kidney functioning the greater the reduction in cognitive function. “Those two tracked together, so this study provides us with evidence that the rate of cognitive decline is associated with deterioration in kidney function,” Davey added.
“As we get older, our kidney function tends to decrease naturally, so if there’s an extra issue involved in renal function like chronic kidney disease, we need to know about it as soon as possible. That is something that needs to be managed, just like you would manage hypertension. Patients are still going to be able to take their medicine on time and without assistance, as well as understand the information that their physician is sharing with them about their disease,” Davey concluded.
Emily Lunardo studied medical sociology at York University with a strong focus on the social determinants of health and mental illness. She is a registered Zumba instructor, as well as a Canfit Pro trainer, who teaches fitness classes on a weekly basis. Emily practices healthy habits in her own life as well as helps others with their own personal health goals. Emily joined Bel Marra Health as a health writer in 2013.
