Affiliations: [a] Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| [b] Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland
| [c] Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Susanne Tholen, MD, Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaninger Straβe 22, 81675 Munich, Germany. Tel.: +49 89 4140 5235; Fax: +49 89 4140 4817; E-mail: susanne.tholen@yahoo.de.
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to the manuscript.
Abstract: Background:Cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients is common, but the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the general elderly population. Histopathological hallmarks are, among others, senile plaques, which consist of amyloid-β (Aβ). Objective:To measure plasma levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40 during hemodialysis and to examine potential associations with cognitive performance in cognitively impaired hemodialysis patients. Methods:Plasma samples of 26 hemodialysis patients were collected shortly before, after 50% of dialysis time, and at the end of a dialysis session. Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels were measured by a high-sensitivity ELISA for human amyloid-β. Cognition was tested under standardized conditions using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as proposed previously. Results:Clearance rates of both peptides during one dialysis session were 22% and 35% for Aβ42 and Aβ40, respectively. Aβ42 but not Aβ40 baseline levels were significantly associated with MoCA test results (r = 0.654, p = 0.001). Conclusion:In cognitively impaired hemodialysis patients plasma Aβ42 levels were associated with cognitive performance and both Aβ42 and Aβ40 plasma levels could be effectively reduced by dialysis. By inducing peripheral Aβ sink, hemodialysis may be considered as an anti-amyloid treatment strategy.
