Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Analysis and Neurocognitive Assessment of Children and Young Adults with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) "NiCK" Study

The NiCK Study is a cross-sectional study examining neurocognitive and neuroimaging differences in children and young adults (ages 8–25) with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) compared to healthy controls. It includes 90 CKD participants (at various stages, including dialysis and post-transplant) and 70 matched controls. Assessments involve neurocognitive testing, clinical evaluations, and MRI scans to analyze brain structure, functional connectivity, and blood flow. A longitudinal component follows CKD participants with significant kidney function changes, such as dialysis transitions or transplants, with repeat testing at least six months later. To control for test familiarity effects, a group with stable kidney function will also be retested. The study aims to identify neurocognitive differences in CKD, explore how anemia, hypertension, and kidney function impact the brain, and improve understanding of CKD-related cognitive impairments.
Cognitive changes have been reported in adults and children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). A number of factors including low glomerular filtration rate (GFR), CKD associated anemia, or hypertension (HTN) may be responsible for these changes. To identify the causal mechanisms underlying the reported neurological consequences of CKD, this project uses multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cognitive testing in a cross-sectional prospective cohort study.