Abstract:

Bermond B, Surachno S, Lok A, ten Berge IJM, Plasmans B, Kox C, Schuller E, Schellekens PTA, Hamel R. Memory functions in prednisone-treated kidney transplant patients.

Clin Transplant 2005: 19: 512–517. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005 Abstract: 

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.

Keywords: memory functions; prednisone; renal transplant recipients

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2005.00376.x

Affiliations: 1:  Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences 2:  Divisions of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands