Neurocognitive-neurological complications of liver transplantation: a review.
Neurological complications are common after liver transplantation (LT) and they are associated with a significant morbidity. Long-term effects of LT on cognitive and psychological outcomes are not clear. The objective of this study was to summarize the present knowledge on the neurological and cognitive complications of LT, resulting from a systematic review of the literature in the last 10 years. Several studies have investigated the incidence and the pathophysiology of neurological complications; in contrast, the knowledge of cognitive and psychological status after LT is poor. Currently, the effect of LT on mental performance is debated. Some studies have shown an improvement of cognitive function after OLTX and, at the same time, a persistence of different cognitive deficits. In addition, the quality of life (QoL) and the psychological status after LT seem to improve but LT recipients have significant deficiencies in most QoL domains. Consequently, future studies are necessary in order to investigate cognitive alterations and QoL in LT recipients.
Campagna
Francesca
F
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Padova, Clinica Medica 5, Via Giustiniani, 35128, Padova, Italy. francecampagna@libero.it
Biancardi
A
A
Cillo
U
U
Gatta
A
A
Amodio
P
P
D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents