Cerebral neurovascular coupling dysfunction is associated with cognitive decline in non-dialysis patients with CKD

Motivation: The relationship between neurovascular coupling (NVC) dysfunction and cognitive decline in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Goal(s): To explore NVC changes in non-dialysis patients with CKD and their association with clinical indicators and cognitive decline. Approach: Multiple neuroimaging metrics related to neural activity, cerebral blood flow, and blood oxygenation were calculated. Neurovascular coupling was assessed using correlation coefficients between these metrics, followed by analyses at both whole-brain and regional levels. Results: CKD patients exhibited reduced NVC coefficients. Susceptibility-ALFF coupling in right angular gyrus mediated the effects of phosphorus on cognitive decompensation in early-stage CKD patients. Impact: Neurovascular coupling may be a key mechanism for cognitive decline in non-dialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease, potentially providing biomarkers for early detection and intervention