Development of a neuropsychological assessment in smoking

Smoking is one of the causes leading to the development of disease and mortality worldwide. One of the focuses of interest in this area is the impact of smoking on neuropsychological health. However, few studies provide instruments to assess executive functioning in smokers. The purpose of this study was to examine the viability of the internal structure of a neuropsychological battery for the assessment of executive function in smokers.

A total of 171 smokers (Mage= 47.44, SDage= 8.48) were assessed. Executive functions were assessed at baseline with measures of inhibition (go/no go task and five digit test), updating (visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing) and shifting (delay discounting task and Iowa gambling task).

The exploratory factor analysis obtained a three-component solution of 59.6%. Establishing a first factor composed of visual search and attention test and letter-number sequencing, a second factor composed of delay discounting task and go/no go task and a third factor with Iowa gambling task and five digit test.

The analysis of the internal structure reflected three factors which are consistent with the structure proposed by Miyake (2000).