Cognitive Impairment
Deficits in memory, attention, language, orientation, logic, and the cognitive abilities essential for planning and sequencing activities all make up cognitive impairment. Approximately 40 percent of those with mild chronic kidney disease will have some cognitive impairment, which rises to 60 percent for those with more severe CKD and kidney failure. In addition, patients with kidney failure may also have difficulties in other areas, such as executive cognitive function.
On the other hand, dementia is a progressive loss of mental faculties that makes it challenging to do routine tasks and maintain independence. Reduced renal function has been associated with increased dementia in the elderly. In particular, kidney failure causes a decline in physical functioning and frailty, an increase in vascular calcification, arteriosclerosis, atheromatous, vasculopathy, excessive oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and severe cognitive impairment. In addition, there is evidence that the general damage in white matter integrity may be linked to cognitive impairment in kidney failure is mounting.
Various uremic retention products, such as urea, guanidine, homocysteine, and creatinine, are produced when renal clearance of nitrogenous waste products declines and causes buildup in the body. Exposure to such toxins can lead to endothelial vascular damage, vulnerability to increased neurotoxicants, and cognitive impairment.
