Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Dialysate Cooling for the Preservation of Cognitive Function in People Receiving Haemodialysis

If your kidneys aren't working well, you might need haemodialysis to clean your blood. Many people receiving this treatment can experience difficulties with their thinking and memory, which can make everyday life harder. Scientists think this might be partly because dialysis can reduce blood flow to the brain at times. Previous small studies showed that slightly cooling the dialysis fluid helped protect the brain. This new study wants to find out if this simple change in temperature can actually help people receiving haemodialysis maintain their thinking and memory skills over time. They will compare two groups: one with standard dialysis and one with slightly cooled dialysis, and check their memory at the start and after a year.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

356

Start

01 Apr 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jan 2028

Haemodialysis Kidney Failure

What is this study about?

When kidneys don't work as they should, a life-saving treatment called haemodialysis is used to filter waste and extra fluids from the blood. Right now, about 25,000 adults in the UK have haemodialysis, usually three times a week. Unfortunately, a lot of these people (more than two out of three) start to have problems with their thinking and memory, which can even lead to dementia. These problems tend to get worse faster than in people who aren't on haemodialysis, making daily tasks harder, and potentially affecting their quality of life. It can also lead to more hospital visits and, sadly, may shorten their lives.

Researchers believe that the dialysis process itself might be part of the problem. Studies have shown that during dialysis, the amount of blood flowing to the brain can drop. If this happens regularly, it could cause damage to the brain over a long time. Some earlier research found that if the dialysis fluid was cooled just a little bit (about half a degree Celsius below body temperature), people seemed to cope better with dialysis, and brain scans after a year showed less damage compared to those who didn't have cooled fluid. However, we still don't know if this brain protection actually helps people keep their thinking and memory abilities.

This important study is designed to answer that question: will cooling the dialysis fluid help protect and maintain thinking and memory skills in people receiving haemodialysis? People will be invited to take part at three hospitals. If you agree, you'll be randomly put into one of two groups: either you'll continue with your usual dialysis, or you'll receive dialysis with the slightly cooled fluid. Scientists will test your thinking and memory at the beginning of the study and again after a year. By comparing the results from both groups, they hope to see if cooled dialysis really makes a difference in protecting your brain.

Key takeaways

Haemodialysis patients often experience problems with thinking and memory.
This study investigates if slightly cooling dialysis fluid can protect brain function.
Participants will be randomly assigned to standard or cooled dialysis.
Thinking and memory will be tested at the start and after one year.
The goal is to improve the quality of life for people on haemodialysis.
Participation involves no extra hospital visits beyond your normal dialysis schedule.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you need to meet certain conditions. You must be an adult, aged 18 or older, and currently receiving regular haemodialysis treatment at a hospital centre. It's also important that you are able to understand the study and willingly give your written permission to participate.

However, some people will not be able to join. This includes if you have already been diagnosed with dementia or if you are unable to understand and agree to take part in the study. Also, if you have dialysis less than three times a week, or if you are pregnant, you won't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Am I 18 years old or older?
Do I currently receive regular haemodialysis at a hospital centre?
Am I able to understand and agree to take part in the study?
Do I have a diagnosed condition of dementia?
Do I receive dialysis less than three times a week?
Am I pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will continue with your regular haemodialysis treatments. Half of the participants will receive their usual dialysis, while the other half will have their dialysis fluid cooled slightly (about half a degree Celsius below body temperature). This will happen during your normal dialysis sessions.

Before the study begins, and again after one year, you will have special tests to check your thinking and memory skills. These tests help the researchers understand if there have been any changes over time. There are no new medications involved, and you will not have any extra visits to the hospital beyond your usual dialysis appointments and the two assessment sessions for thinking and memory. The total duration of your participation in the study from start to finish will be approximately one year.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefits of taking part in this study include contributing to important research that could improve care for people receiving haemodialysis. If cooled dialysis is found to be helpful, it could lead to better preservation of thinking and memory for many people. The risks are thought to be low, as cooled dialysis has been used in previous small studies without major problems. You might feel a slight difference in temperature during your dialysis if you are in the cooled group, but this is expected to be very minor. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your standard medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Royal Derby Hospital
Verified postcode
Derby, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is haemodialysis?

Haemodialysis is a treatment that filters waste and extra fluid from your blood when your kidneys can't do it properly.

Why is this study important?

Many people on haemodialysis experience problems with thinking and memory. This study aims to find a simple way to protect the brain and help maintain these important skills.

What does 'cooled dialysis' mean?

It means the fluid used in your dialysis will be slightly cooler, about half a degree Celsius below your normal body temperature.

Will I know if I'm getting cooled dialysis or standard dialysis?

No, you will be randomly assigned to one of the groups, and neither you nor the researchers will know which treatment you are receiving until the study is over. This is called a 'blinded' study and helps make the results fair.

How long will I be in the study?

You will participate for about one year, with assessments at the beginning and after one year.

How to find out more

Daniel Davis

daniel.davis6@nhs.net 07472910392 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.