Cognitive impairment is associated with increased central arterial stiffness in an animal model of chronic kidney disease.

The prevalence of cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia in end‐stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been estimated at 30‐60%. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including increased central arterial stiffness (CAS) accompany CKD development and contribute to CI. Elevated pulse wave velocity (PWV) is associated with higher mortality in CVD and CKD independently of blood pressure (BP). Marinobufagenin (MBG) is a pro‐fibrotic factor, which increases in CKD and contributes to CAS. The aim of this study was to determine whether CKD potentiates CI development via CAS and cardiovascular remodeling in a rat model of CKD.