Association between white matter hyperintensities and altered cerebral blood flow in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a longitudinal study

Motivation: The relationship between white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) in maintenance hemodialysis patients remains unclear. Goal(s): The study aims to explore the regulation of changes for CBF and its relationship with WMH burden in hemodialysis patients. Approach: Hemodialysis patients were divided into two groups based on whether their CBF decreased after 3-year therapy. The severity of white matter hyperintensity was compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with the increased CBF group, higher burden of deep WMH was found in the decreased CBF group. Impact: This association between WMH and decrased CBF in maintenance hemodialysis be beneficial to the exploration of the complex mechanisms underlying the development of cerebral abnormalities during hemodialysis.