Cell free DNA methylation analysis reveals cerebral cell death during hemodialysis

Abstract

citation ID: gfae069.850 Background and Aims: Patients treated with hemodialysis demonstrate a significant cognitive decline, likely explained by cerebrovas-cular disease and hypoperfusion. Despite the significant morbidity and mortality associated, no method exists to detect subclinical cerebral injury. This prevents early diagnosis and precludes mitigation strategies. Following cell death, cell free DNA (cfDNA) is released into the peripheral blood. Since DNA methylation is cell-type specific, cfDNA methylation analysis can reveal the cellular origin of cfDNA and cell-type specific changes in cell death. Here, we evaluate if subclinical cerebral ischemia during hemodialysis is detectable through cfDNA methylome analyses.