Cognitive impairment is one of the burdens for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. It can severely impair quality of life and often leads to an increased risk of dementia in those affected. Studies show that a kidney transplant can reverse cognitive impairment—indicating that this disorder can be treated.
However, the exact mechanisms that lead to cognitive impairment are largely unclear. A new study conducted by the University of Leipzig Medical Center provides important findings from basic research that could be used to develop therapeutic approaches for . The have been published in the journal .
Microglia are specialized in the brain that play a key role in the transformation of neuronal functions. The activation of these cells is often associated with inflammatory processes, which in turn influence the brain and cognitive functions. "In the present study, we were able to show that chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to an activation of microglial cells, which has a number of negative effects on the brain and in particular disrupts the homoeostasis of potassium in the nerve cells," explains Dr.
Dr. Silke Zimmermann, first author of the study and researcher at the University of Leipzig Medical Center. To investigate the mechanisms of chronic kidney disease in the brain, the Leipzig researchers established a surgical mouse model in which 5/6 of the kidney tissue was removed.
The study data showed that these mice performed worse in cognitive tests and exhibited r.