Difference between alcohol dependence and nicotine dependence in cognitive dysfunction]

The extent of cognitive dysfunction in the nicotine and/or alcohol dependent subjects has been evaluated with Digit Span, Number Connection Test and Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test. Samples were divided into 4 groups, 8 subjects with alcohol and nicotine dependence, 9 subjects with alcohol dependence, 10 subjects with nicotine dependence and 31 subjects without the dependences who met ICD-10 criteria for dependence syndrome. The performance times of Number Connection Test were prolonged in the alcohol dependence and the presence of the nicotine dependence did not influence the performance times of Number Connection Test. The performances on the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test were impaired by the alcohol dependence and the presence of the nicotine dependence did not influence the performances on the Wisconsin Card-Sorting Test.