Cognitive deficits related to major organ failure: the potential role of neuropsychological testing

Until recently, little attention has been paid to the possibility of cognitive deficits in patients with disease or failure of major organs such as the liver, kidney, or heart. However, there is a growing awareness that major organ failure often has neuropsychological sequelae. These sequelae may at times be quite subtle and not detectable under gross examination. Nevertheless, even subtle deficits may have a major impact on adherence to medical regimens, psychosocial adjustment, and quality of life of patients. Neuropsychological assessment has a potentially valuable role to play both in research and in clinical work. It can be useful in adding to our knowledge of the cognitive effects of various types, severity and duration of major organ disease, as well as sequelae associated with treatment. It also is a potentially valuable clinical tool for identifying cognitive deficits that will affect the quality of life and probability of survival for organ failure patients.