Personality changes have been reported after organ transplantation in recipients, a study suggests.
- According to a recent study, 89% of people reported personality changes after undergoing a heart or other organ transplant.
- These concerned preferences regarding food, sexuality, spirituality and even professional activities.
- Some patients have reported negative effects, such as depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction.
“Worldwide, more than 144,000 organs were transplanted in 2021 and just under 8,200 heart transplants were performed in 2020. Undergoing a transplant can have significant psychological effects and some recipients fear developing the personality traits of their donor While there are several accounts of personality changes following organ transplantation, the literature quantifying these changes is scant. indicated researchers from the University of Colorado (United States).
Transplant: personality changes in 89% of organ recipients
In a recent study, published in the journal Transplantology, they wanted to corroborate this concern shared by patients and find out what these changes were and if they were similar or different in people who had a heart transplant compared to other organ transplants. For the purposes of the work, the team recruited 47 adults, of whom 23 received a heart and 24 benefited from another organ transplant. Participants answered questions online about their personality and potential changes following their operation.
According to the results, 89% of volunteers reported personality changes after undergoing a transplant. “This was similar for heart transplant recipients and other organ transplant recipients.” In detail, the modifications concerned preferences in terms of food and even professional activities. A majority of people reported “improved social and sexual adaptation” and “spiritual or religious episodes”. Some have reported negative effects, such as depression, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction.
Their personality may change due to ‘improved physical health’ after surgery
“Many of these changes could result from improved physical health after surgery rather than from a transfer of personality from donor to recipient. (…) Our results could be influenced by selection bias resulting from our recruitment of “Individuals to participate in our work that explicitly stated that they were examining personality changes following organ transplants. Individuals who have not experienced personality changes may be less likely to participate in such a study.” , said Mitch Liester. Thus, the authors specified that additional research was necessary to understand the causes of these personality changes.
