Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Cognitive screening tools are brief, standardized assessments that evaluate multiple cognitive domains to detect impairment. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) evaluates visuospatial/executive function, naming, memory, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation (30 points; <26 suggests MCI). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) assesses orientation, registration, attention/calculation, recall, and language (30 points; <24 suggests dementia; less sensitive for MCI than MoCA). The Mini-Cog combines 3-word recall with clock drawing (quick 3-minute screen). The Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) is more sensitive than MMSE for MCI detection. Each tool has different sensitivity/specificity profiles, and selection depends on the clinical setting, time available, and purpose of screening.