Cognitive functional inefficiency in alcoholics

Cognitive efficiency was assessed on a sample of 198 right-handed male alco holics. Testing procedure: Numerical, Verbal-logic and Associative short-te rm memory tests from Wechsler Memory Scale; Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Tes t; Block Design and Complex Reactionmeter Drenovac. Results: The alcoholics showed decreased results on all applied tests. Factor analysis revealed th e first factor marked by high loadings on speed and accuracy of complex psy chomotor reactions. and the second on verbal memory variables. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that alcoholism induces diffuse cognitive fun ctional inefficiency with more pronounced decrease in nonverbal functions.