Overview
A 30-point cognitive screening tool with greater sensitivity to mild cognitive impairment than the MMSE.
Use cases
MCI screening in memory clinics and prodromal Alzheimer's trials.
Assessment intelligence
- Score range
- 0 – 30
- Direction
- Higher = better
- Scoring method
- Sum
- Time to score
- ~10 min
Subscales
- Visuospatial/Executive0-5
- Naming0-3
- Memory0-5
- Attention0-6
- Language0-3
- Abstraction0-2
- Delayed Recall0-5
- Orientation0-6
Cutoff thresholds & interpretation
| Severity | Threshold | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | ≥26 | No cognitive impairment |
| MCI / impairment | <26 | Possible mild cognitive impairment or dementia |
Add 1 point if ≤12 years of education.
Editorial notes
Sensitivity 90% for MCI and 100% for mild AD at cutoff <26; certification now required.
Available languages
Validation studies (2)
- The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for MCINasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, et al. · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 2005DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53221.x
- MoCA versus MMSE in identifying mild cognitive impairmentSmith T, Gildeh N, Holmes C. · Canadian Journal of Psychiatry · 2007DOI: 10.1177/070674370705200508
Related assessments
MMSE
Mini-Mental State Examination
Brief cognitive screen for dementia.
ACE-IIIAddenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III
Multi-domain cognitive screen with subtype sensitivity.
CDRClinical Dementia Rating
Gold-standard dementia staging instrument.
ADAS-CogAlzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive
AD trials cognitive endpoint (11- and 13-item forms).