Overview

• In a cohort of about 130,000 Stockholm residents aged 65 and older without dementia, 7% developed the condition over roughly four years.
• Moderate albuminuria (30–299 mg/g) was linked to a 25% higher risk of dementia, and high levels (over 300 mg/g) to a 37% higher risk versus normal.
• The link between urine protein and future dementia persisted after accounting for overall kidney function, indicating independent predictive value.
• Researchers point to small blood vessel damage and potential blood–brain barrier changes as a plausible pathway connecting kidneys and brain.
• Urine protein testing is cheap and widely available, but experts stress the findings are observational and say randomized trials are needed before changing screening or using kidney drugs to prevent dementia.