Background: Cognitive impairment is a common complication of aging that is also associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vascular dysfunction has been implicated as a potential cause of cognitive impairment in older adults, with particular deficits noted in those with CKD.
Aims: To determine the differences in cognitive function and vascular compliance in older adults with and without CKD with preclinical cognitive impairment and the relationship between these factors.
Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional approach, 48 older adults with preclinical cognitive impairment (24 with and 24 without CKD) were evaluated for performance on a test of global cognition and executive function, and vascular compliance via tonometry and ultrasound.
Results: Cognitive function and some indicators of vascular function were significantly different in older adults with and without CKD. Global cognition was correlated with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (r = - 0.36, p = 0.02) in the entire sample. Vascular function was not correlated with executive function.
Discussion: Older adults with preclinical cognitive impairment and CKD had different cognitive and vascular function than those without CKD, and an indicator of vascular function may have a relationship with cognitive function in older adults.
Conclusions: The findings of this study support the assessment of cognitive and vascular function in older adults with and without CKD with preclinical cognitive impairment.
Keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Cognitive impairment; Vascular function.