Associations of microalbuminuria with brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities in hypertensive sibships.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Because of similarities between brain and kidney microvascular disease, there may be a relationship between measures of renal microvascular disease and brain structural changes in middle aged or elderly individuals.

Objective

To determine whether the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), a measure of renal microvascular disease, is associated with brain atrophy and white matter hyperintensities.

Methods

As part of a larger study of the genetics of hypertension, we performed brain imaging and assessed microalbuminuria and other vascular risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia in 1253 individuals from hypertensive sibships (age mean 63.8 years, range 50 to 91; 65% women; 49% African-American; 78% hypertensive).

SUBMITTER: Knopman DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2527625 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature