title: An asymmetry between the WAIS Digit Symbol and block design scores in abstinent alcoholics.
abstract: Previous studies have indicated that alcoholics with low learning potential perform more poorly on the Finnish WAIS Block Design than on the Digit Symbol. These alcoholics had deficits in mediated functions but not in elementary functions. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between these subjects in a larger group of alcoholics. A total of 179 Finnish alcoholics took part. A clear asymmetry was found between the tests, the Block Design being poorer than the Digit Symbol. The results are discussed in terms of basic questions concerning the nature and course of impairment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Policy, University of Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Saarnio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014888:Wechsler Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol