Kidney Transplant Saves the Brain

Ivanhoe Newswire

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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A common procedure could stop the cognitive impairment often seen in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Researchers report patients who underwent kidney transplant displayed significant improvement in performance tests of verbal learning and memory, attention and language. No such improvement was seen in dialysis patients who did not have the surgery. Transplant patients also scored higher overall on the tests compared to dialysis patients.

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It remains unclear why patients with kidney disease often suffer cognitive decline, though researchers believe it could be attributed to age, chronic health conditions or potential treatment-related factors.

SOURCE: Presented at the American Society of Nephrologys 41st Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in Philadelphia, November 6, 2008

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