This test involves one item, and takes one to two minutes to administer. Ask the patient to recall the three words.The scoring of the clock is similar to the Mini-Cog scoring described on page 229. Use the clock-drawing test (see below) as a distracter for the three-word recall.I want you to repeat them back to me.” Explain that you will later ask the patient to recall the words.
All patients suspected of having dementia should have a physical examination, including a screening neurological examination and review of medications, as a part of the evaluation. Screening includes office-based assessments of cognitive function, as well as laboratory testing and neuroimaging. Evaluating Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Even something as simple and easily treatable as a urinary tract infection can cause alarming cognitive changes.Text adapted from "The patient with dementia" in Psychiatry in primary care by Kenneth Le Clair, Dallas Seitz and Julia Kirkham. There are many TREATABLE health conditions that could cause these types of symptoms, which is why it’s so important to see a doctor and find out the true cause of the issue. What the score means is that someone needs to be evaluated for any potential cognitive issues. This is a screening test only and MUST be interpreted by a doctor. No, it absolutely does not mean that someone has Alzheimer’s or dementia. For more information, see How We Make Money. This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. Sources: MoCA, Wikipedia, Today’s Geriatric Medicine
They’re both initial screening tests that are used to determine whether further cognitive testing is needed.
Traumatic brain injury (often from falls)Įven though these are good screening tools for cognitive impairments, neither test was designed to diagnose cognitive conditions.The MoCA has also been shown to be a better screening tool for conditions like: So, if a doctor sees a patient who is questioning their mental functioning, they might give the MoCA test.īut if a patient comes in and is clearly cognitively impaired, a very sensitive test wouldn’t be as necessary since the issues are more obvious. The MoCA is generally better at detecting mild impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease because it’s a more sensitive test and is more challenging. The MoCA looks similar to the MMSE, but the MoCA tests a variety of different cognitive functions and the MMSE focuses mostly on memory and recall. Executive functions – ability to manage cognitive processes.Ability to process and understand visual information about where objects are.The MoCA usually tests these cognitive areas: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a one page, 30 point test that takes about 10 minutes. How the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) works