EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF SCHIZOPHRENICS ADDICTED TO NICOTINE

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between nicotine addiction and the level of executive functions of individuals suffering from schizophrenia. Material/Methods: The clinical Group I consisted of schizophrenics addicted to nicotine (N=31), while the clinical Group II comprised nonsmoking schizophrenics (N=28). The control groups included healthy individuals who smoke cigarettes (N=29) and healthy non-smokers (N=30). To conduct the study, a Self-developed Questionnaire, the Trail Making Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test were used. The nicotine addiction degree was measured by the Fagerstrom Test. Results: The level of executive functions of cigarette smoking schizophrenics is higher when compared to non-smoking patients and is related to better results achieved in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in terms of: the number of trials, number of errors, percentage of correct answers, number of passed categories. The degree of nicotine addiction in the study group proved not to be related to the level of executive functions, nevertheless, the nicotine addiction duration had a positive impact on the number of passed categories in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in the group of schizophrenics. No relation was observed between the number of hospitalizations and gender, and the level of executive functions of the patients. Conclusions: The level of executive functions of cigarette-smoking schizophrenics is higher when compared to non-smoking patients.