Montreal Cognitive Assessment in a 63- to 65-year-old Norwegian Cohort from the General Population: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study

Håkon Ihle-Hansen, Thea Vigen, Trygve Berge, Gunnar Einvik, Dag Aarsland, Ole Morten Rønning, Bente Thommessen, Helge Røsjø, Arnljot Tveit, Hege Ihle-Hansen, Håkon Ihle-Hansen, Thea Vigen, Trygve Berge, Gunnar Einvik, Dag Aarsland, Ole Morten Rønning, Bente Thommessen, Helge Røsjø, Arnljot Tveit, Hege Ihle-Hansen

Abstract

Aims: To investigate Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test scores in a cohort aged 63-65 years from a general population in relation to the proposed cut-off score of 26 for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to explore the impact of education.

Methods: MoCA scores were assessed in the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study, a cross-sectional cohort study of all men and women born in 1950 living in Akershus County, Norway. The participants were aged 63-65 at the time of data collection.

Results: MoCA scores were available in 3,413 participants, of which 47% had higher education (>12 years). The mean MoCA score was 25.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2-25.4), and 49% had a score below the suggested cut-off of 26 points. Those with higher education had significantly higher scores (mean 26.2, 95% CI 26.1-26.3 vs. 24.4, 95% CI 24.3-24.6, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Approximately 50% scored below the cut-off score of 26 points, suggesting that the cut-off score may have been set too high to distinguish normal cognitive function from MCI. Educational level had a significant impact on MoCA scores.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Cognitive screening test; General population; Montreal Cognitive Assessment; Population-based study.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) raw score distribution.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) raw score distribution in relation to education (a) and after a 1-point education correction for ≤12 years of education (b). Middle school, ≤10 years of education; high school, 10–12 years of education; higher education, >12 years of education.

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