Cognitive function before and after dialysis initiation in adults with chronic kidney disease—a new perspective on an old problem?

The impact of dialysis on cognitive trends is uncertain. Kurella Tamura et al. evaluated cognitive trajectories in 212 participants from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort study and found that dialysis initiation was associated with a decline in executive function. This is consistent with a cerebrovascular basis for cognitive impairment in patients with renal disease. However, larger corroborative studies are needed while targets for intervention are identified to ameliorate dialytic effects on cognitive function.