Structural and Functional Alterations in Hemodialysis Patients: A Voxel-Based Morphometry and Functional Connectivity...

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Nephrology
• Radiology

Background:

• End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis often exhibit neurological complications.
• Previous studies suggest structural and functional brain alterations in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gray matter volume (GMV) changes in hemodialysis patients compared to healthy controls.
• To explore functional connectivity alterations linked to observed GMV abnormalities.

Main Methods:

• Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis of high-resolution T1-weighted MRI scans.
• Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) to assess functional connectivity.
• Correlation analysis between brain imaging findings and laboratory results.

Main Results:

• Hemodialysis patients showed increased bilateral thalamus volume but decreased volumes in bilateral rectus, caudate, and temporal gyrus.
• Decreased functional connectivity was found in the thalamo-cortical network and basal-ganglia connections.
• Significant correlations were observed between GMV alterations and laboratory findings.

Conclusions:

• Hemodialysis is associated with distinct structural brain impairments, including altered gray matter volumes in specific regions.
• These structural changes correlate with functional connectivity deficits, particularly in thalamo-cortical and basal-ganglia networks.
• The study highlights the impact of ESRD and hemodialysis on brain integrity.