Disturbed Dynamic Brain Activity and Neurovascular Coupling in End-Stage Renal Disease Assessed With MRI.

Abstract

Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remain unclear, with limited studies on the temporal variability of neural activity and its coupling with regional perfusion.

Purpose: To assess neural activity and neurovascular coupling (NVC) in ESRD patients, evaluate the classification performance of these abnormalities, and explore their relationships with cognitive function.

Study type: Prospective.

Population: Exactly 33 ESRD patients and 35 age, sex, and education matched healthy controls (HCs).

Field strength/sequence: The 3.0T/3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling, resting-state functional MRI, and 3D-T1 weighted structural imaging.

Assessment: Dynamic (dfALFF) and static (sfALFF) fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were assessed. CBF-fALFF correlation coefficients and CBF/fALFF ratio were determined for ESRD patients and HCs. Their ability to distinguish ESRD patients from HCs was evaluated, alongside assessment of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) MRI features. All participants underwent blood biochemical and neuropsychological tests to evaluate cognitive decline.

Statistical tests: Chi-squared test, two-sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U tests, covariance analysis, partial correlation analysis, family-wise error, false discovery rate, Bonferroni correction, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and multivariate pattern analysis. P < 0.05 denoted statistical significance.

Results: ESRD patients exhibited higher dfALFF in triangular part of left inferior frontal gyrus (IFGtriang) and left middle temporal gyrus, lower CBF/dfALFF ratio in multiple brain regions, and decreased CBF/sfALFF ratio in bilateral superior temporal gyrus (STG). Compared with CBF/sfALFF ratio, dfALFF, and sfALFF, CBF/dfALFF ratio (AUC = 0.916) achieved the most powerful classification performance in distinguishing ESRD patients from HCs. In ESRD patients, decreased CBF/fALFF ratio correlated with more severe renal impairment, increased CSVD burden, and cognitive decline (0.4 < |r| < 0.6).

Data conclusion: ESRD patients exhibited abnormal dynamic brain activity and impaired NVC, with dynamic features demonstrating superior discriminative capacity and CBF/dfALFF ratio showing powerful classification performance.

Level of evidence: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.