Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale in patients with Parkinson Disease with normal scores in the Mini-Mental State Examination

DETECÇÃO DE COMPROMETIMENTO COGNITIVO DE ACORDO COM A ESCALA MONTREAL COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT EM PACIENTES COM DOENÇA DE PARKINSON IDIOPÁTICA COM COGNIÇÃO NORMAL DE ACORDO COM O ESCORE NO MINIEXAME DO ESTADO MENTAL

ABSTRACT.

Several screening tests have been used for cognitive evaluation in Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Objective:

To evaluate the usefulness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in patients with Parkinson’s disease and no cognitive impairment complaints.

Methods:

A total of 40 PD patients with no complaints of cognitive problems were included. Patients were selected using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the MoCA was then administered.

Results:

80% of patients exhibited Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) according to the MoCA. Statistically significant differences in visuospatial, attention and delayed recall functions were evident between the normal and abnormal MoCA groups.

Conclusion:

The study results suggest that MoCA may be a good screening test in patients with PD who do not present cognitive complaints.

Key words:
Parkinson’s disease; mild cognitive impairment; cognitive impairment; Montreal Cognitive Assessment