By Neil Shaw
Copyright birminghammail
A simple urine test could reveal your risk of developing dementia decades before symptoms appear, a new study shows. For the study, researchers tracked 130,000 people and found that protein in the urine may act as an early warning sign for memory problems. Research showed that people with higher levels of protein leaking into their urine – a condition known as albuminuria – had a significantly greater chance of developing dementia. Hong Xu, Assistant Professor at Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, who lead the study, told The Conversation : “Our findings highlight how closely the kidneys and brain are connected. Both rely on networks of tiny, delicate blood vessels to function properly. When these vessels are damaged – by high blood pressure, diabetes, or other factors – the same damage that causes protein to leak into urine can also reduce blood flow to the brain. “Your kidneys act like filters, keeping useful proteins in your blood while filtering out waste. When those filters are damaged, albumin protein starts leaking through. The brain has its own protective barrier – the blood-brain barrier – made of tightly packed cells that prevent harmful substances from entering brain tissue. Just as damaged kidney filters become leaky, a compromised blood-brain barrier allows toxins and inflammatory molecules to pass through, potentially triggering the brain changes that lead to dementia.” Hong Xu says several medications already used to protect kidneys may also protect memory and ‘weight loss jabs’ developed to combat diabetes also reduce protein in urine – which could indicate they hekp to prevent dementia. She said: “While we cannot yet prove that treating kidney problems will prevent dementia – that would require following participants for decades in controlled trials – the biological pathway makes sense, particularly given how blood vessel damage affects both organs.” Hong Xu said lifestyle changes that protect kidneys also benefit the brain – quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly can reduce your risk of both kidney disease and dementia.
