Validation of the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) as a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment in the population of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

Introduction: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test is a brief tool for neuropsychological assessment. Objective: to validate the MoCAin the population of Buenos Aires, Argentina, to allow for the use of the test for the detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: The sample consisted of 269 adults over 60 years old and of schooling of more than 6 years (healthy adults n = 115 and MCIn = 154). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to establish the relationship between the diagnoses of the patients and the scores obtained at MoCA. The optimal cut-off points were selected, and the positive and negative predictive value were calculated for them. Results: The area under the curve (AUC) was 0,741 (p< 0001, 95% CI:.682 -.800) for the MMSE and 0.810 (p <0001, 95% CI:.759 -. 861) for the MoCA test. The cut point suggested using the MoCA test is 26 points, which throws .727 of sensitivity and a specificity of. 748. Conclusion: The MoCA test is a useful test for clinical consultation. Its brevity and simplicity place it as an interesting instrument for neuropsychological screening in the Argentinian population.