Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Screens for mild cognitive impairment. 

INSTRUCTIONS

To be used as a screening tool for adults with self or family reported concerns of cognitive impairment not explained by an alternative medical or psychiatric condition. This score identifies the mild cognitive impairment that may precede various forms of dementia, but does not diagnose specific dementia subtypes.

ADVICE

• The MoCA should not replace a detailed history, physical exam, and workup as indicated by history.

• The MoCA score does not diagnose a specific clinical condition but it does identify the presence of cognitive impairment. Additional workup to determine the cause of the cognitive impairment is usually warranted. 

• Clinical reasoning is still required to interpret the cause of the patient’s MCI once identified by an abnormal MoCA Score and to assess for functional impairment.

Credit to : Dr. Ziad S. Nasreddine