Cognitive Functions in Recipients of Liver Transplantation: Prospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: cognitive control refers to the ability to regulate, coordinate, and sequence thoughts/actions in accordance with the current task goals. It comprises a set of components including task switching, updating and response inhibition and coordinating multiple simultaneous operations. The fronto parietal network has been suggested as a neural basis for cognitive control. Liver transplantation is one of the most dynamic fields in modern medicine and is a lifesaving option for patients with end stage liver disease. Since the first successful transplantation in 1967, liver transplantation has been performed in many centers worldwide saving thousands of liver failure patients. Aim of the Work: based on that, our study aimed to assess cognitive functions, depression, and anxiety in patients with end stage liver disease before and after liver transplantation, then compare between both. Patients and Methods: the study involved convenience sample of 44 recipients with ESLD prepared for liver transplant, 30 of which completed the study and 14 cases dropped out. Results: all data were recorded and statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS- 20th version. The results were tabulated, grouped and statistically analyzed using the suitable statistical parameters. For description analysis. Conclusion: more liver impairment as estimated by Child Pugh score and MELD score associated with more impairment in cognitive tasks. In the current study the presence or absence of hepatic encephalopathy had no relation to cognitive function.