Relationship between changes in hypothalamic subfield volume and kidney damage in diabetic kidney disease

Motivation: The hypothalamus plays an important role in the progression of renal damage in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients, but the relationship between hypothalamic structure and renal function is currently unclear. Goal(s): To investigate the relationship between hypothalamic structure and impaired renal function in DKD patients. Approach: The hypothalamic subregion volume in DKD patients was quantitatively analyzed using T1-weighted magnetization prepared rapid gradient-echo MRI. The relationship between renal function and hypothalamic subregion volume was also explored. Results: During DKD progression, reduced volume in the anterior-superior area of the hypothalamus, especially the paraventricular nucleus, was associated with worsening renal function. Impact: The volume of the anterior-superior area of the hypothalamus may provide useful neuroimaging evidence of renal function damage in DKD patients, supporting the kidney-brain axis theory of DKD.