Memory functions in prednisone-treated kidney transplant patients.
The literature indicates that high daily doses of gluco-corticosteroids have a degenerating effect upon the hippocampus and thus result in reduced declarative memory capacities. In order to prevent rejection, renal transplant recipients are treated with moderate daily doses of gluco-corticosteroids and, if necessary, with high pulse-doses during a few days. The question, therefore, arises as to whether or not such standard treatments result in memory impairments. For this reason, declarative memory capacities were measured, by means of a Dutch version of Rey's 15 Words Test, in a group of 52 renal transplant recipients. Results clearly indicated severe reductions in declarative memory capacities in these patients.
Bermond
Bob
B
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Surachno
Sugianto
S
Lok
Anja
A
ten Berge
Ineke J M
IJ
Plasmans
Barbara
B
Kox
Cornelis
C
Schuller
Esther
E
Schellekens
Peter T A
PT
Hamel
Ronald
R
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011241:Prednisone / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011241:Prednisone