- Last edited on April 30, 2020
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~~Title: Cognitive Testing~~
| Common Cognitive Tests |
|---|
| Mini-Cog |
| The Mini-Cog is a rapid 3-minute instrument that can increase detection of cognitive impairment in older adults. |
| Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) |
| The MMSE is the most commonly used cognitive test. It is more geared towards detecting memory, attention, construction, orientation, and language deficits, and is less sensitive to executive dysfunction. |
| Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) |
| The MoCA is a cognitive test used for screening mild cognitive impairment. |
Cognitive Testing Tips
When doing cognitive testing, always think: this the patient giving significant effort during the testing? Is there an underlying primary psychiatric condition? Could there be a medication-induced cognitive deficit?| Other Cognitive Tests |
|---|
| Clock-Drawing Test (CDT) |
| The CDT evaluates general executive functioning of the frontal lobe and visuospatial abilities. |
| Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) |
| The FAB is a brief battery of neuropsychological tasks designed to assess frontal lobe function and screens for frontotemporal dementia. |
| Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) |
| The RUDAS is a short cognitive screen that minimizes the effects of culture and language on assessment, and is useful for patients whose first language is not English. |
| Stroop Test |
| The Stroop Test is used to screen and diagnose patients with covert/minimal hepatic encephalopathy (CHE/MHE). |
For a comphrehensive review of how to use cognitive assessments in a clinical setting, see: Kipps, C. M., & Hodges, J. R. (2005). Cognitive assessment for clinicians. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 76(suppl 1), i22-i30.
Neuroanatomical Locations
Neuroanatomy of Cognitive Domains
| Location | Function | Cognitive Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal lobe | Executive function | • Digit span • WORLD backwards • Serial 7s • Verbal (letter) fluency • Modified Trails B |
| Temporal lobe | Memory | • Orientation • Immediate Recall • Delayed Recall |
| Mesial temporal lobe (R>L) | Facial Recognition | • Identification of celebrities and politicians |
| Left hemisphere | Language | • Reading and Comprehension • Writing • Naming • Repetition • Semantic fluency |
| Occipital and biparietal lobes | Visuospatial | • Cube copying (MoCA) • Pentagon copy (MMSE) |
| Left parietal | Arithmetic | • Addition or subtraction (serial 7s) |
| Left parietal | Praxis | • Comb hair or brush teeth |