Cognitive outcome following kidney transplantation.
BACKGROUND
While a handful of studies have assessed cognition in kidney transplant (TX) recipients, the neuropsychological presentation of this population is not yet clear. Kidney transplantation typically leads to improvement of metabolic factors associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, comorbid diseases independently linked with cognitive compromise often persist, and for this reason, cognitive difficulties may still be present following transplantation.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, we assessed cognition in 42 kidney TX recipients, 45 outpatients with pre-dialysis CKD and 49 healthy controls using measures of verbal learning and memory and executive functioning.


RESULTS
Findings indicated that TX and CKD patients demonstrated significantly worse verbal learning and memory in comparison to controls. While both CKD and TX patients exhibited significantly worse performance than controls on a response inhibition measure, only CKD patients performed significantly worse on a set-shifting task.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that, in comparison to controls, verbal memory and executive functioning skills are worse in both CKD and TX patients. Further research is needed to determine the etiology and extent of cognitive compromise, as well as to assess the clinical implications of these findings.
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, B.C., V5A 1S6, Canada.
Shannon
S
Gelb
R Jean
RJ
Shapiro
Amanda
A
Hill
Wendy Loken
WL
Thornton
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000928:Antidepressive Agents