Neurocognitive outcomes and memory transfer in heart transplantation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Cardiac transplantation significantly improves survival for end-stage cardiac disease.
• Beyond physiological challenges, recipients undergo complex neurocognitive and psychological transformations.
• Emerging evidence suggests debated phenomena like memory and personality shifts post-transplant.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of literature on neurocognitive outcomes and purported memory/personality transfer in heart transplant recipients.
• To synthesize current theories, case studies, and mechanistic hypotheses regarding these post-transplant phenomena.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature searches of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO from 1990 to June 2025.
• Inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed clinical studies, case reports, English manuscripts, and reports with ≥5 participants.
• Exclusion criteria: non-transplant cardiac studies, animal research, gray literature, and non-English manuscripts.

Main Results:

• Review synthesizes theories on neurocognitive trajectories and potential memory-behavioral transfer.
• Epigenetic modifications and immune-brain crosstalk are hypothesized mechanisms influencing recipient cognition and behavior.
• Cognitive-behavioral interventions and psychosocial support are crucial for post-transplant adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Evidence for memory transfer in heart transplant recipients is inconclusive but warrants further interdisciplinary investigation.
• Understanding the biological-psychological interconnectedness is key.
• Future research should integrate neuroscientific, immunological, and psychological frameworks to optimize patient care and counseling.