Figure 5.

Mediation analysis. In the mediation analysis, the independent factor was Kt/V and the dependent variable was a short-term memory function indicator. These were reflected by the SR-S, while the fALFF-CBF coefficient in the CG served as the proposed mediator. The mediation analysis result indicated that NVC dysfunction (lower fALFF-CBF coefficient) in the CG partially mediated the effect of Kt/V on the short-term memory function deficits (c′ = 0.698, p = 0.003) in ESRD patients.

Kt/V: kinetic transfer/volume urea; NVC: neurovascular coupling; fALFF: fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation; CBF: cerebral blood flow; CG: cingulate gyrus; SR-S: short-term delayed recall score; ESRD: end-stage renal disease.