Pathophysiology of cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a frequent and disabling complication in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD). With rising CKD prevalence, especially in aging populations, there is a pressing need to understand the complex and multifactorial mechanisms linking kidney dysfunction to cognitive decline.

Emerging evidence highlights the multifactorial pathogenesis of CKD-related CI, involving vascular dysfunction, blood-brain barrier disruption, glymphatic impairment, systemic inflammation, uremic toxin accumulation, hormonal dysregulation, and gut-brain axis alterations. Additionally, mental health comorbidities, sarcopenia, sleep disorders, and renal replacement therapies further modulate cognitive outcomes. Advances in biomarker research and the identification of neuroprotective factors like Klotho may reshape diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

CI in CKD results from a convergence of systemic and neural insults, modulated by resilience mechanisms and shaped by aging and comorbidities. Future research should explore interventions targeting modifiable contributors, such as vascular health, inflammation, and uremic toxicity, as well as enhancing neuroresilience to preserve cognitive function in this high-risk population.