Quantitative Analysis of White Matter Hyperintensities and Their Association with Cognitive Impairment in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

Motivation: Cognitive impairment in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) often accompanies white matter hyperintensities, yet their relationship remains poorly understood. Goal(s): To quantify WMH in ESRD patients and examine its association with cognitive function, particularly in the juxtaventricular (JVWMH) region. Approach: A cross-sectional study with MRI imaging and MoCA assessment was conducted on 48 ESRD patients and 48 matched controls, asscessing WMH volumes and their relationship to cognitive scores. Results: ESRD patients exhibited higher WMH volumes, especially in the JVWMH region, correlating with decreased MoCA scores. Impact: This study suggested that JVWMH volume may serve as a potential marker for cognitive decline in ESRD patients.These findings may offer valuable insights for developing targeted interventions and encourage further research into the neurovascular mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in renal disease.