A recent study has shed light on a potential new risk factor for dementia: acute kidney injury. Researchers from the Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have found that individuals who experience acute kidney injury are at a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, particularly Lewy body dementia or Parkinson’s disease-related dementia.
Understanding Acute Kidney Injury and Dementia
Acute kidney injury occurs when the kidneys suddenly stop functioning correctly. This condition can have severe consequences, including a higher risk of mortality and potential disruption of the blood-brain barrier.
Dementia, on the other hand, affects cognitive abilities, leading to memory loss, loss of language skills, and emotional issues. It is caused by changes in certain brain regions that cause neurons and their connections to stop working
The Study’s Findings
The study analyzed data from around 300,000 adults aged 65 and older, with a median follow-up of 12.3 years. The researchers found that individuals who had acute kidney injuries had a 49% higher chance of developing dementia compared to those who did not have an acute kidney injury.
The severity of the acute kidney injury also played a role, with more severe cases or those requiring hospitalization associated with a higher dementia risk.
Implications and Recommendations
The study’s findings could lead to significant changes in clinical practice. Jason Krellman, PhD, an associate professor of Neuropsychology in Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, noted that the study identifies individuals with acute kidney injury as a population that should be monitored for dementia and cognitive decline
Krellman recommended that patients with acute kidney injury should lower their vascular risk factors, such as hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, by adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Sham Singh, MD, a psychiatrist at Winit Clinic in Santa Monica, CA, emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary care approach. He suggested that regular cognitive assessments could become a standard part of follow-up care, enabling early detection of potential dementia.
These findings are published in the journal Neurology.