In the past, doctors and researchers surmised that having chronic kidney disease (CKD) could increase the risk of having a stroke. Yet they didn’t know exactly why it happened or what elements of CKD drove cerebrovascular disease, though some surmised it was due to hypertension. Neurology and nephrology specialists at the University of California, Irvine (UCI or UC Irvine) sought to understand how and why this occurs. In a May 2023 news article, the research team announced that they had identified the underlying mechanisms of brain injury and cerebrovascular disease in CKD.
About the Research
To begin, the research team developed mice models of chronic kidney disease. They then observed and analyzed brain histology, as well as various serum levels in the blood. Findings from the study, published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, show that:
- CKD is associated with increased cystatin C and serum creatinine levels. Heightened levels were both positively correlated with the development of cerebral microhemorrhages.
- Mice with CKD developed cerebral microhemorrhages regardless of blood pressure, meaning that high blood pressure did not increase the risk.
- Male mice were more likely to have cerebral microhemorrhages, and more of them, than female mice. These male mice had higher serum creatinine levels.
- More severe kidney injury was associated with worsening cerebrovascular disease.
- Kidney failure is associated with the accumulation of uremic toxins. These impair the function of the blood-brain barrier, allowing for these uremic toxins to damage the brain.
More research is needed to understand the link between CKD and stroke in greater detail. Understanding this could allow for the development of more targeted and effective treatment options.
What is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)?
Also called chronic kidney failure, chronic kidney disease causes the gradual loss of kidney function over time. Normally, your kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood. As they become progressively damaged, the kidneys are unable to filter this out. As a result, wastes, fluids, and electrolytes accumulate in the body and cause issues. CKD may result from a number of other conditions, such as diabetes, polycystic kidney disease, urinary tract obstructions, interstitial nephritis, or recurrent kidney infection; these are not the only causes. Symptoms may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes)
- Enlarged liver and/or spleen
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Appetite loss
- High blood pressure
- Itchiness
- Fatigue and general weakness
- Stunted growth
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in urinary frequency
- Muscle twitching and cramping
Treatments include medications to manage anemia, high blood pressure, or cholesterol; diuretics; vitamin supplementations; dialysis; or kidney transplantation.