Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41978712›Full record

ReviewGlobal cardiology science & practice2025

Neurocognitive outcomes and memory transfer in heart transplantation.

Patrick Ashinze, Wuraola Salawu, Eniola Akande, Suvam Banerjee, Abdullaah Idris-Agbabiaka, Bethrand Chukwu, Nelson Mafua, Francis Ngirigwa, Tesleem Okeoyo, Stephen Olowookere and 5 more

Erratum issuedAbstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Global cardiology science & practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Patrick AshinzeFaculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Wuraola SalawuSt John's Hospital, Livingston (NHS Lothian) Scotland, United Kingdom.
Eniola AkandeFaculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Suvam BanerjeeBurdwan Medical College and Hospital, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, India.
Abdullaah Idris-AgbabiakaGeorgetown Public hospital, Guyana.
Bethrand ChukwuFaculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Nelson MafuaFaculty of Clinical Sciences, Madonna University, Anambra, Nigeria.
Francis NgirigwaFederal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta, Nigeria.
Tesleem OkeoyoThe Balfour Hospital, NHS Scotland, United Kingdom.
Stephen OlowookereObafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ife, Osun state, Nigeria.
Victor Mayowa AdeleyeDepartment of Community Medicine and Public Health, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ekiti, Nigeria.
Joseph Tolulope OlajuwonMersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, United Kingdom.
Caleb AboderinObafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ife, Osun state, Nigeria.
Ayodeji OlasemoFaculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Lukman Abiodun MusaEmergency Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionCardiac transplantation remains a life-saving intervention for end-stage cardiac disease, substantially improving survival and quality of life. While physiological and immunological challenges, such as graft rejection and immunosuppression, are well-characterized, emerging evidence underscores complex neurocognitive and psychological transformations in recipients. These include debated phenomena such as shifts in memory, behavior, and personality, which challenge conventional paradigms of transplantation outcomes. METHODOLOGY: This scoping review was conducted by performing comprehensive literature searches of databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO using MeSH keywords: "heart transplant", "neurocognitive outcomes", "cellular memory", AND "personality transfer". The timeline spanned 1990 through June 2025. INCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) peer-reviewed clinical studies; (2) case reports providing detailed narrative descriptions relevant to memory/personality changes; (3) manuscripts written in English; (4) reports including ≥5 participants/patients. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: (1) non-transplant cardiac studies; (2) animal research; (3) editorials/opinions/gray literature; (4) non-English manuscripts. Study quality was assessed through manual review of documented accounts alongside corresponding peer-reviewed manuscripts.

resultsThis review synthesizes theories, case studies, and mechanistic hypotheses from published reports, exploring neurocognitive trajectories and purported memory-behavioral transfer between donors and recipients. Epigenetic modifications-such as DNA methylation and histone remodeling-are hypothesized to alter gene expression in donor-derived cells, potentially influencing recipient cognition and behavior. Concurrently, immune-brain crosstalk, mediated by cytokines and neuroinflammatory pathways, may exacerbate psychological distress, including identity dissonance and anxiety. Cognitive-behavioral interventions and psychosocial support emerge as critical tools for post-transplant adaptation.

conclusionCurrent evidence on memory transfer remains inconclusive, yet its implications for biological-psychological interconnectedness warrant rigorous interdisciplinary inquiry. By integrating neuroscientific, immunological, and psychological frameworks, future research can elucidate the mechanisms underlying post-transplant neurocognitive phenomena, optimizing therapeutic strategies and patient counseling.

Identifiers

PMID41978712
PMCPMC13070247

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.