The Kidney and The Brain Study - Assessment of Cognitive Impairment in Advanced CKD

Patients with failed kidneys need Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) to remove fluid and toxins from the body. The 3 types of RRT are kidney transplant or removal of waste by dialysis, either via the blood (haemodialysis) or via the stomach area (peritoneal dialysis). 27,000 patients currently receive dialysis in the UK and some endure reduced quality-of-life, depression, and thinking and memory difficulties. Some of these symptoms reflect undiagnosed dementia. Indeed up to 7/10 dialysis patients suffer moderate to severe brain impairment or dementia - much more frequently than in the general population. This study will assess brain function just before starting dialysis/transplant and at 3 and 12 months afterwards with face to face assessments and with brain scans in some patients. Changes in brain function will be compared between people treated with the different forms of dialysis and transplant. The Investigators hope to evaluate whether these tests are acceptable to patients, whether affected sub-groups with cognitive impairment can be identified early, and if certain dialysis methods are better for patients with cognitive impairment/dementia, so that a larger study to try to improve brain function after RRT can be developed.