title: Effects of immunosuppressive drugs on the cognitive functioning of renal transplant recipients: a pilot study.
abstract: Some renal transplant patients show cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes as part of possible neurotoxic effects associated with immunosuppressive medication, especially tacrolimus. This study evaluated effects of immunosuppressive drugs on some cognitive tasks. Patients treated with sirolimus and cyclosporine reported some of the noncognitive side effects related to immunosuppressive treatment. We observed attention and working memory impairment in patients treated with sirolimus or tacrolimus. Performance of cyclosporine-treated subjects was similar to that of healthy volunteer controls. Since the mood, anxiety, and sleep patterns measured were unaffected, it could be concluded that the cognitive deficit found was partly related to treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychobiology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain. sonia.mtnez-sanchis@uv.es
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martínez-Sanchis
authors.forename: M Consuelo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bernal
authors.forename: José Vicente
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Montagud
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Candela
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Asunción
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sancho
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pallardó
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000601:surgery; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents