J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1997; 9:189-197
Copyright © 1997 by American Neuropsychiatric Association
Cognitive screening instruments in neuropsychiatry: a report of the Committee on Research of the American Neuropsychiatric Association
PF Malloy, JL Cummings, CE Coffey, J Duffy, M Fink, EC Lauterbach, M Lovell, D Royall and S Salloway
Department of Neuropsychology, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI 02906, USA.
A 1994 survey by the Research Committee of the American Neuropsychiatric
Association revealed that 58% of respondents employed formal assessment of
cognitive status; the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and
neuropsychological testing were the commonest techniques. Literature review
on common cognitive screening instruments found that the MMSE has
widespread popularity, ease of use, and a large body of research
demonstrating its sensitivity to common neuropsychiatric disorders. The
Committee recommends that clinicians who employ the MMSE 1) use it as a
minimum screening for cognitive dysfunction; 2) employ age- and
education-normative corrections; and 3) supplement it with specific
measures of spatial functions, delayed memory, and executive abilities. The
Modified MMSE and the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination also
show promise as screening tools.
