Neurologic examination abnormalities in schizophrenia with and without a history of alcoholism

Objective: The current investigation examines the impact of a past history of alcoholism on neurologic examination abnormalities in schizophrenia (SZ) . Background: Individuals with SZ have a high rate of comorbid alcohol use disorders (AUDs), but relatively little is known about the potential advers e consequences of alcoholism for neuropsychological and neurologic function ing in SZ. Recent evidence suggests consistent but subtle neurocognitive di fferences between groups, with more prominent differences in neurologic exa mination abnormalities. Method: Thirty-three male patients with SZ or SZ/AU Ds were evaluated using a modified Neurologic Evaluation Scale (NES) and ra tings for positive and negative symptoms. Results: The SZ/AUD group exhibit ed a greater impairment in the Cognitive-Perceptual factor of the Neurologi c Evaluation Scale. Greater impairment in the tandem-Romberg factor or in m otor items was not found, nor were groups different based on positive or ne gative symptoms. Conclusions: A history of alcoholism in SZ is associated w ith greater overall neurologic impairment, particularly in the area of cogn itive-perceptual dysfunction, an area often found to be impaired in patient s with schizophrenia without alcoholism.