Optimal MoCA cutoffs for detecting biologically-defined patients with MCI and early dementia.

Neurol Sci

Clinical Unit of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, Trieste University Hospital-ASUGI, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.

Published: January 2023

Objective: In this phase II psychometric study on the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), we tested the clinicometric properties of Italian norms for patients with mild cognitive impairment (PwMCI) and early dementia (PwD) and provided optimal cutoffs for diagnostic purposes.

Methods: Retrospective data collection was performed for consecutive patients with clinically and biologically defined MCI and early dementia. Forty-five patients (24 PwMCI and 21 PwD) and 25 healthy controls were included. Raw MoCA scores were adjusted according to the conventional 1-point correction (Nasreddine) and Italian norms (Conti, Santangelo, Aiello). The diagnostic properties of the original cutoff (< 26) and normative cutoffs, namely, the upper limits (uLs) of equivalent scores (ES) 1, 2, and 3, were evaluated. ROC curve analysis was performed to obtain optimal cutoffs.

Results: The original cutoff demonstrated high sensitivity (0.93 [95% CI 0.84-0.98]) but low specificity (0.44 [0.32-0.56]) in discriminating between patients and controls. Nominal normative cutoffs (ES0 uLs) showed excellent specificity (SP range = 0.96-1.00 [0.88-1.00]) but poor sensitivity (SE range = 0.09-0.24 [0.04-0.36]). The optimal cutoff for Nasreddine's method was 23.50 (SE = 0.82 [0.71-0.90]; SP = 0.72 [0.60-0.82]). Optimal cutoffs were 20.97, 22.85, and 22.29 (SE range = 0.69-0.73 [0.57-0.83], SP range = 0.88-0.92 [0.77-0.97]) for Conti's, Santangelo's, and Aiello's methods, respectively.

Conclusion: Using the 1-point correction, combined with a cutoff of 23.50, might be useful in ambulatory settings with a large turnout. Our optimal cutoffs can offset the poor sensitivity of Italian cutoffs.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9816212PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-06422-zDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

early dementia
12
mci early
8
italian norms
8
optimal moca
4
moca cutoffs
4
cutoffs detecting
4
detecting biologically-defined
4
patients
4
biologically-defined patients
4
patients mci
4

Similar Publications

The growing prevalence of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasing public health concern that led to French recommendations for timely AD diagnosis and patient management as well as a territorial coverage of specialized structures [Memory Centers including Resources and Memory Research Centers (RMRC) and Memory Consultations (MC)]. In view of the potential availability of Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs), this French observatory aimed to describe the current organization of the Memory Centers, and the care pathway of patients suffering from early AD. Overall, 12 of the 28 RMRC and 44 of the 250 MC solicited by the Federation of Memory Centers participated in this study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A study on the exploration of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease based on decision-making cognitive computing.

Front Neurosci

January 2025

Department of Neurology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI) as an independent risk factor for dementia in Parkinson's disease has prognostic value in predicting dementia in PD patients. It was found that the calculation of cognitive function decision-making could better evaluate the cognitive function of PD-MCI. Therefore, this study explored deficits in decision-making cognitive function in PD-MCI population, and mined novel digital biomarkers for recognizing early cognitive decline in PD-MCI through an independently designed maze decision-making digital assessment paradigm.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Long-Term Multimodal Exercise Intervention for Patients with Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration: Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes.

Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra

December 2024

Division of Clinical Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

Introduction: After Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) is the second most common form of early-onset dementia. Despite the heavy burden of care for FTLD, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments with sufficient efficacy remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a multimodal exercise program for FTLD and to examine preliminary changes in the clinical outcomes of the program in FTLD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a common factor in age-related diseases such as stroke and dementia, and about half of dementia patients worldwide are caused by CSVD. CSVD-related cognitive impairment (CSVD-CI) affects more and more elderly people, resulting in economic losses and burdens on families and society. In recent years, circulating biomarkers have made breakthroughs and played an increasingly important role in the diagnosis, progression, and prognosis of CSVD-associated cognitive impairment, and are expected to be applied to the early clinical detection, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with cerebral small vessel disease.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a prevalent mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and mania, often accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairments often serve as indicators of a bleak prognosis or the likelihood of progressing to dementia. Additionally, some studies suggest that individuals diagnosed with BD may undergo a decline in hippocampal volume.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!