DOI: 10.1097/mnh.0000000000001221 ISSN: 1062-4821

Are noninvasive measurements of nephron number achievable in humans?

Kevin M. Bennett, Jennifer R. Charlton, Edwin J. Baldelomar
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Purpose of the review

This review summarizes recent pivotal studies demonstrating the importance of nephron number as a potential clinical marker of kidney health, and highlights technological advances aimed at facilitating the clinical measurement of nephron number in vivo in individuals. Finally, we summarize clinical applications in which measurements of nephron number will likely lead to improved patient care, and discuss challenges to the deployment of technologies to measure nephron number in humans.

Recent findings

Recent studies have demonstrated that nephron number is an important determinant of risk of kidney disease, and that it can be used to predict outcomes in large patient cohorts. However, there are currently no clinical tools to measure nephron number noninvasively in humans. Several new technologies have now demonstrated that nephron number can be measured in vivo . With further development, these technologies have the strong potential for translation to general use in humans, suggesting that clinical measurements of nephron number will be available in the near future.

Summary

New technologies are now emerging that are likely to enable the noninvasive measurement of nephron number in humans. These technologies are supported by a growing understanding of the importance of nephron number in kidney health and risk of kidney disease.

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