Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology

Transplant Neuropsychology

The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology (JCEN) is collaborating with the Co-Founders of the Transplant Neuropsychology Consortium for a special issue on the clinical practice of Transplant Neuropsychology and neurocognitive correlates of end-stage organ failure, solid organ transplantation, and their comorbidities.

Clinical neuropsychologists are increasingly involved in evaluating patients under consideration for solid organ transplant (SOT). Cognitive impairment is common in end-stage organ failure (ESOF) and SOT populations, may be present prior to and following transplantation, and can impact transplant candidacy, treatment adherence, and long-term health. Despite the growing clinical need, many clinical neuropsychologists receive limited training in the unique medical and psychological factors that influence neurocognitive functioning in ESOF and SOT populations.

The overarching focus of this special issue is to highlight the role of biological, sociocultural, contextual, and professional factors that shape neuropsychological outcomes across the spectrum of ESOF and pre/post SOT. The goal is to improve clinical knowledge, promote inclusive care, and identify opportunities for inter- and intradisciplinary collaboration. Preferred article submissions will include empirical data, including meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Therefore, we are specifically soliciting articles that fall into one or more of the below content areas:

1. Neurocognitive correlates of ESOF and SOT, with special attention to both:
   • Biological and medical factors contributing to cognitive functioning prior to and/or following SOT. Potential submissions could address such topics as medication effects and immunology pathways, decompensation of primary disease, multiorgan failure, or predisposing neurologic risk factors,
   • Psychosocial and sociocontextual factors contributing to cognitive functioning prior to and/or following SOT. Potential submissions could address disparities in burden of chronic disease, the role of health literacy, and gaps in resource access, psychosocial support, and access to ESOF and transplant-related care.
2. Neurocognitive predictors of SOT outcomes. Submissions may examine associations between cognitive functioning that are meaningful in ESOF and SOT outcomes, including medication adherence, rehospitalization, graft failure, mortality, and quality of life. Papers focusing on pre-transplant neurocognitive predictors of post-transplant outcomes with longitudinal pre-/post-data are preferred.
3. Understudied SOT populations: Emerging data on less studied SOT populations (e.g., pancreas, intestinal, and/or multiorgan transplant). We aim to prioritize inclusion of common transplant practices while also representing a diversity of patient populations and practice considerations