Overview

The purpose of this study is to see if 6 months of home-based walking will improve memory, and brain structure and function, compared to health education in older adults that have chronic kidney disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• • Diagnosed stage 3-4 chronic kidney disease (CKD, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 to 20 ml/min);
  • >55 yrs of age
  • Mild cognitive impairment (18-26 on the MOCA)
  • ability to undergo an MR
  • no history of major head trauma (No head trauma/concussion with loss of consciousness)
  • Speaks, reads, writes English

Exclusion Criteria:

• • Diagnosed Dementia or a Clinical Dementia Rating Scale score of <2, or a MOCA of <18
  • Participating in a supervised exercise program with intent to increase fitness levels 3 days/week,
  • Requires assistive ambulation
  • Limited exercise capacity due to claudication; unstable angina, severe arthritis, extreme dyspnea on exertion, unstable coronary artery disease
  • Class III-IV heart failure
  • History of uncontrolled sustained arrhythmias, severe/symptomatic aortic or mitral stenosis, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, severe pulmonary hypertension, active myocarditis/pericarditis, thrombophlebitis, and recent systemic/pulmonary embolus
  • Resting systolic BP >200 mmHg or resting diastolic BP >110 mmHg
  • Any unforeseen illness or disability that would preclude cognitive testing or exercise training
  • One or more contraindication for MRI; cardiac pacemaker, aneurysm clip, cochlear implants, shrapnel, history of metal fragments in eyes, neurostimulators, diagnosed claustrophobia (MRI only)
  • Any self-reported major psychiatric disorders requiring medical therapy (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder).
  • Self-reported new diagnosis of clinical depression within 3 months of enrollment or unstable clinical depression requiring medication adjustment within 3 months of enrollment