Treatment with dialysis in people with kidney failure has been implicated in accelerated cognitive impairment. Here, the authors consider how dialysis treatment — haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis — can promote cerebral injury and might exacerbate chronic kidney disease-associated brain alterations and cognitive decline.

MRI is a powerful technology for assessment of renal oxygenation. This Review highlights important considerations for the physiological interpretation of renal oxygenation changes measured by MR oximetry and discusses use of this technology in research as well as potential clinical applications.

Here, the authors describe the mechanisms by which innate immune cells contribute to acute kidney injury, the transition from acute kidney injury to chronic kidney disease, and the progression of chronic kidney disease. They also discuss potential therapeutic strategies that target the innate immune system.

Social and environmental exposures are strong drivers of health inequity and adverse health outcomes. However, data from studies that examine the longitudinal effect of social and environmental exposure burdens on kidney disease outcomes are limited. The environmental justice index–social environmental ranking, although imperfect, provides an important tool to address this gap in knowledge.