WAIS functioning of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic alcoholics

Abstract

The WAIS [Wechsler adult Intelligence Scale] was administered in a Veterans Administration Center to 60 male patients aged 35-64 who had been assigned to 1 of 3 groups, cirrhotic alcoholics, non-cirrhotic alcoholics and normal subjects. No differences were found among groups on age, education or the Information and Vocabulary subtests. Significant differences were found on Verbal, Performance and Full Scale IQ, the remaining 9 subtests and the Deterioration Quotient. A stepwise discriminate function analysis substantiated these differences. Laennec''s cirrhosis is a physical condition that negatively affected intellectual functioning in alcoholics.