Cognitive Outcome after Living kidney Donation

Renal transplantation is the best renal replacement therapy for
end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD)patients. Pre-emptive renal transplantation with
a living kidney donor, shows the best results for graft function. Last years
the group of living kidney donors increased which leads to increased performed
renal transplantations . As well the group older kidney donors (above 65 years)
increased. Common recovery after an uncomplicated donornephrectomie lasts two
to three months.

Cognitive impairment has been shown in patients after surgery and is associated
with decreased quality of life, higher morbidity and mortallity, delayed
recovery and increased medical costs. Early recognition of impaired cognitive
function is important because it enables health care professionals to improve
coping and reduce deterioration. This will improve quality of life and reduce
health care costs.

Living kidney donors has no medical indication for the donornephrectomy. They
are informed about all different risks and complications due to the
donornephrectomy. There is no information about incidence and level of
cognitive impairment in healthy living kidney donors and as well there is no
information about this subject admitted to the informed consent.

We will investigate the changes in mental performance using a validated
computerize test battery of neuropsychological tests just before, three montns
and one year after living kidney donation. Using visual and auditory inormation
stimuli, these tests measure speed, stablility and accuracy of various basic
neuropsychological processes underlying neurocognitive function, i.e. sustained
attention and executive functions as working memory, inhibitory control and
cognitive flexibility. In addition, psychomotor functions will be performed as
well as a POMS (profile of mood states) assessment and a verbal fluency test.

The design of the study is a prospective observational cohort study.

negligible