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Normative data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in an Italian population sample

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Abstract

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid screening battery, also including subtests to assess frontal functions such as set-shifting, abstraction and cognitive flexibility. MoCA seems to be useful to identify non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subcortical dementia; it has high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing MCI from mild Alzheimer’s Disease. Previous studies revealed that certain items of MoCA may be culturally biased and highlighted the need for population-based norms for the MoCA. The aim of present study was to collect normative values in a sample of Italian healthy subjects. Four hundred and fifteen Italian healthy subjects (252 women and 163 men) of different ages (age range 21–95 years) and educational level (from primary to university) underwent MoCA and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that age and education significantly influenced performance on MoCA. No significant effect of gender was found. From the derived linear equation, a correction grid for MoCA raw scores was built. Inferential cut-off score, estimated using a non-parametric technique, is 15.5 and equivalent scores were computed. Correlation analysis showed a significant but weak correlation between MoCA adjusted scores with MMSE adjusted scores (r = 0.43, p < 0.001). The present study provided normative data for the MoCA in an Italian population useful for both clinical and research purposes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank dr. Angela Villani and dr. Maria Grazia Angrisano for their contribution in collecting data in Naples. Moreover, the authors thank dr. Irene Pirali and Sonia Rossi for their contribution in collecting data in Milan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy

    Gabriella Santangelo, Mattia Siciliano, Roberto Pedone, Fabrizia Falco, Rossella Bisogno, Dario Grossi & Luigi Trojano

  2. IDC-Hermitage-Capodimonte, Naples, Italy

    Gabriella Santangelo & Carmine Vitale

  3. University Parthenope, Naples, Italy

    Carmine Vitale

  4. PhD Course on Human Mind and Gender Studies, Second University and University of Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Fabrizia Falco

  5. Neuropsicologia clinica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria OO.RR. S.Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d’Aragona, Salerno, Italy

    Pietro Siano

  6. Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neurodegenerative Diseases Center, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy

    Paolo Barone

  7. Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy

    Franco Santangelo

  8. Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Telese, Telese Terme, BN, Italy

    Luigi Trojano

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  1. Gabriella Santangelo
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  2. Mattia Siciliano
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  3. Roberto Pedone
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  4. Carmine Vitale
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  10. Franco Santangelo
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Correspondence to Gabriella Santangelo or Luigi Trojano.

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Santangelo, G., Siciliano, M., Pedone, R. et al. Normative data for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in an Italian population sample. Neurol Sci 36, 585–591 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-014-1995-y

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