A neuropsychological normative database for lung transplant candidates

Psychologists are increasingly asked to make decisions regarding patient ca ndidacy for transplantation. Despite the growing incidence of lung transpla ntation, normative research regarding cognitive functioning and end-stage o bstructive lung disease is lacking. Hence, data are presented on 100 consec utively referred candidates for lung transplantation. The group data sugges t essentially normal functioning on most cognitive tests for the majority o f transplant candidates. Exceptions were seen on measures of attentional se t shifting and short-term visual memory, which were impaired in nearly one fourth of this population. Additionally, one half of the patients displayed deficient performance on the Buschke Selective Reminding Test, with subjec ts at greater risk for severe rather than mild deficits. Unlike prior resea rch, our group data suggest that there is potential risk of short term nonc ontextual verbal memory difficulties because of end-stage pulmonary disease . Personality testing data, e.g., elevations on MMPI-2 scales measuring dep ression and anxiety, are also discussed.