The Impact of Uremic Toxins on Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, pathologically characterized by the accumulation of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in the elderly population closely associated with the occurrence of dementia. Recent epidemiological and experimental studies suggest a potential association of CKD with AD. Both diseases share a panel of identical risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension. However, the relationship between CKD and AD is unclear. Lower clearance of a panel of uremic toxin including cystatin- C, guanidine, and adiponectin due to CKD is implied to contribute to AD pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the current evidence from epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies on the potential contribution of uremic toxins to AD pathogenesis. We describe outstanding questions and propose an outlook on the link between uremic toxins and AD.