Acute Effect of Hemodialysis on Cognition in Patient of End Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

Aim
 To assess effect of hemodialysis on cognitive control.
 Introduction
 Studies till date have not confirmed the immediate effect of hemodialysis on cognitive function. Cognitive control consists of core cognitive functions such as working memory and inhibition. In several studies it was observed that patients performed worse than healthy control in terms of fluency, working memory, inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and decision-making. This study was specifically designed to observe the effect of hemodialysis on learning and memory (Cognitive Control) in fifty ambulatory male subjects of end stage renal disease undergoing twice a week hemodialysis of age more than 21years.
 Material and Method
 Subjects on hemodialysis for more than 2 months up to a year were only included. They were instructed about methodology of Stroop color Word Test, Backward digit span Test and Ray Auditory Verbal learning Test. Following instruction on methodology they were given five practice sessions. They were then tested before and after hemodialysis.
 Result
 Post hemodialysis, the reaction time for Stroop color condition, Stroop word condition and Strop color word condition was less and this was found to be statistically significant when compared to pre hemodialysis. This indicates an improvement in executive control acutely after dialysis. If we look at backward digit span test and RAVLT total score, delayed recall and average recall no significant change was seen. The RAVLT immediate recall time changed significantly after hemodialysis.
 Conclusion
 There is acute effect of hemodialysis on executive function (cognitive control) domain of cognition.