Combining Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment for assessing the clinical efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors in mild Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study
- Authors: Furneri, G; Varrasi, S; Guerrera, CS; Platania, GA; Torre, V; Boccaccio, FM; Testa, MF; Martelli, F; Privitera, A; Razza, G; Santagati, M; Di Nuovo, S; Pirrone, C; Castellano, S; Caraci, F; Monastero, R
- Publication year: 2024
- Type: Articolo in rivista
- Key words: Cognitive decline; Alzheimer's Disease; MMSE; MoCA; Cholinesterase inhibitors; Psychometric tools
- OA Link: http://hdl.handle.net/10447/634917
Abstract
Current drugs for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), such as cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), exert only symptomatic activity. Different psychometric tools are needed to assess cognitive and non-cognitive dimensions during pharmacological treatment. In this pilot study, we monitored 33 mild-AD patients treated with ChEIs. Specifically, we evaluated the effects of 6 months (Group 1 = 17 patients) and 9 months (Group 2 = 16 patients) of ChEIs administration on cognition with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), while depressive symptoms were measured with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). After 6 months (Group 1), a significant decrease in MoCA performance was detected. After 9 months (Group 2), a significant decrease in MMSE, MoCA, and FAB performance was observed. ChEIs did not modify depressive symptoms. Overall, our data suggest MoCA is a potentially useful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of ChEIs.