To review the potential links between kidney health and neurodegeneration, particularly dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the public health significance.
Key Findings:
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.
CKD affects 30%-60% of individuals living with dementia, significantly higher than the general population prevalence.
Common risk factors for CKD and dementia include hypertension, diabetes, and advanced age.
Interpretation:
Improving kidney health may provide a beneficial avenue for enhancing cognitive health and potentially delaying or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the need for further research.
Limitations:
Current research lacks comprehensive longitudinal studies to establish causation.
Mechanistic pathways linking kidney health and neurodegeneration remain poorly understood, necessitating diverse methodologies.
Conclusion:
Further exploration of the relationship between kidney health and neurodegeneration is necessary to identify actionable strategies for improving brain health, underscoring the urgency of addressing these research gaps.
