The application of Montreal cognitive assessment (Chinese version) in diagnosing and assessing cognitive changes of mild cognitive impairment

Objective To assess the effect of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA, Chinese version) in diagnosing and observing the cognitive changes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods The MoCA and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) were taken to all subjects (28 patients with MCI and 29 normal controls) to assess the effect and to compare the sensitivity and specificity of MMSE and MoCA in diagnosing MCI, and to compare the cognitive changes of the MCI patients at the beginning of study and 12 months later. Results The MoCA and MMSE are useful for differential diagnosis between normal control and MCI patients. MoCA was significant for the assessment of visuospacial/constructive abilities ( t = 2.151, P = 0.036), memory ( t = 4.704, P = 0.000), abstraction ( t = 2.787, P = 0.009) and orientation ( t = 3.162, P = 0.003) in comparison among groups. When the cut off point was 26, the sensitivity of MoCA and MMSE to diagnose MCI was 89.29% and 10.71% respectively, while the specificity was 82.76% and 100% respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity of MoCA was significantly higher than MMSE. In MCI patients, the score of MMSE and MoCA after 12 months were lower than baseline, the difference was significant in the MoCA total score ( t = 6.454, P = 0.000), visuospacial/constructive abilities ( t = 5.610, P = 0.000) and language ( t = 4.954, P = 0.000). Conclusion Comparing with MMSE, the sensitivity of MoCA is higher. The decline of the score of MoCA and visuospacial/constructive abilities and language may be a predictor in the conversion of MCI to dementia.