Cognitive Impairment and Imaging Correlates in End Stage Renal Disease

Cognitive Impairment and Imaging Correlates in End Stage Renal Disease

This is an observational cohort to understand cognitive impairment in end stage renal disease before and after a kidney transplant.

Cognitive impairment is very common in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It exact mechanisms are not clear, but patients with ESRD have more cerebral white matter changes. Several studies have shown that cognitive function improves post-transplant, indicating that there may be some reversibility in the process. This study will examine the correlation between cognitive impairment and structural brain changes before and after renal transplantation. We will also study the correlation of cognitive function with serum inflammatory markers before and after transplant. These results will be compared to aged matched healthy controls without kidney disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pre-transplant ESRD patients who are listed for renal transplantation
• Able to sign pre-transplant consent on their own will
• Have english as their native language

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current use of antipsychotics or anti-epileptics
• Inability to read or write which will limit their ability to perform the cognitive tests
• Claustrophobia or inability to get MRI for other reasons
• Unable to sign consent