Screening for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: A comparison between the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cognitive impairment is a core feature affecting social and occupational functionality in schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to compare the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in screening for cognitive impairment in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and to examine the relationship between neurocognitive functions and clinical symptoms. METHODS: The study included 135 individuals with schizophrenia followed in Ankara Dışkapı Community Mental Health Centre. Sociodemographic Data Form, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), The Scale for The Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS), Negative Symptoms Assessment Scale (SANS), MMSE and MoCA were administered. RESULTS: The mean MMSE score was 25.64 +- 2.72, and the mean MoCA score was 17.91 +- 3.83. There was a high positive correlation between the MMSE and MoCA scores (r=0.667). The MMSE and MoCA tests showed a substantial difference in the assessment of cognitive functions; and MoCA was found more sensitive than the MMSE in determining cognitive impairment. Moreover, the MMSE and MoCA scores showed a negative correlation with the BPRS, SANS, and SAPS scores. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that MoCA may be used as a more useful screening test for cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia.

Keywords

• schizophrenia
• cognitive tests
• moca
• mmse
• psychopathology