EFFECTS OF REPEATED NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS

The effects of repeated administrations of neuropsychological instrume nts were evaluated in a group of chronic cigarette smokers who served as control subjects in a larger research project. Subjects performance on 13 neuropsychological variables across four assessments was evalua ted using trend analyses. Statistically significant results were obtai ned on the Logical and Figural Memory Subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale (Form I - Russell's Revision) Part B of the Trail Making Test an d the Grooved Pegboard Test (preferred hand). Of the remaining seven v ariables the Speech Sounds Perception Test, the Seashore Rhythm Test a nd Simple Auditory Reaction Time were highly consistent across all fou r assessments. The implications of these findings in clinical practice and research settings are addressed.