A recent study has revealed that a simple urine test could help predict the risk of developing dementia decades before its first symptoms appear.
The research, conducted by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and published in the journal Internal Medicine, indicated that elevated levels of the protein “albumin” in urine – a condition medically known as “albuminuria” – may serve as an early indicator of future decline in memory and cognitive functions.
By analyzing data from over 130,000 individuals aged 65 and older who were not diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study, it was found that those experiencing albumin leakage in their urine were at a higher risk of later developing vascular dementia or mixed dementia, which are among the most common types after Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Hong Xu, an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institute, explained that the link between the kidneys and the brain is “closer than we think.” He added that damage to the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys can negatively affect blood flow to the brain, impacting cognitive abilities over time.
Researchers affirm that these findings could pave the way for a new preventive approach against dementia. Medications for hypertension and other treatments that reduce protein leakage in the kidneys could play a dual role in protecting memory and brain health.
