Testing for Dementia: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Find out how the montreal cognitive assessment test (MoCA) screens for dementia

A more sensitive screening test for dementia

If you suspect that your older adult could be showing signs of cognitive impairment and not just having moments of normal forgetfulness, the first step is to visit their primary doctor for a full check-up.

If there aren’t any obvious causes of dementia-like symptoms, the doctor might use a test called the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) to screen for possible cognitive issues.

However, there’s a more sensitive, but less commonly used, screening test called the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

We explain how the MoCA test works, when it’s used, and how it’s similar to and different from the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE).

 
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How the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) works

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a one page, 30 point test that takes about 10 minutes.

The MoCA usually tests these cognitive areas:

  • Ability to process and understand visual information about where objects are
  • Executive functions – ability to manage cognitive processes
  • Language
  • Short-term memory recall
  • Attention
  • Concentration
  • Working memory
  • Awareness of time and place

 

How are the MoCA and MMSE different?

The MoCA looks similar to the MMSE, but the MoCA tests a variety of different cognitive functions and the MMSE focuses mostly on memory and recall.

The MoCA is generally better at detecting mild impairment and early Alzheimer’s disease because it’s a more sensitive test and is more challenging.

So, if a doctor sees a patient who is questioning their mental functioning, they might give the MoCA test.

But if a patient comes in and is clearly cognitively impaired, a very sensitive test wouldn’t be as necessary since the issues are more obvious.

The MoCA has also been shown to be a better screening tool for conditions like:

 

How are the MoCA and MMSE similar?

Even though these are good screening tools for cognitive impairments, neither test was designed to diagnose cognitive conditions.

They’re both initial screening tests that are used to determine whether further cognitive testing is needed.

They also can’t be used to distinguish between conditions.

For example, you couldn’t use either test to diagnose someone with Alzheimer’s disease versus frontotemporal dementia. After the initial screening, more testing would be needed.

 

Next Step  Find out how the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) works

 

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By DailyCaring Editorial Team
Sources: MoCA, Wikipedia, Today’s Geriatric Medicine

 

This article wasn’t sponsored and doesn’t contain affiliate links. For more information, see How We Make Money.


10 Comments

  • Reply October 30, 2020

    Faye LaPorte

    I wanted to see a copy of the MOCA test.

  • Reply October 27, 2020

    philip poi

    the MOCA Does need training to have diagnostic accuracy . You need to revise your advice on this test. Please check with the authors of this test.
    This website is otherwise excellent and i recommend it to all my caregivers who face issues. Do please adjust your stance on the MOCA .

    • Reply November 10, 2020

      DailyCaring

      Thanks very much for alerting us to this change! We’ve now updated the article to remove that statement. (We had been using older information from the MoCA site, which has since been updated.)

  • Reply February 11, 2019

    Dorothy /downey

    What does a score of 23 mean on this test? Alzheimers????

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