title: Value of the MoCA test as a screening instrument in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since a large proportion of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients exhibit cognitive deficits, it is important to have reliable and cost-effective screening measures that can be used to follow patients effectively. the objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test in detecting cognitive deficits in MS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one (70.1% women, mean age 44.51 ±7.43) mildly impaired (EDSS: 2.26 ±1.87) MS patients were recruited for this study. In addition to the MoCA, they were administered the MSNQ-P (patient version) and the MSNQ-I (informant version), the bDI-FS and a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  there were significant correlations between the MoCA test and the three factors derived from the neuropsychological evaluation (Executive/speed of processing, Learning, Delayed recall). the MoCA test was correlated with the MSNQ-I but only marginally with the MSNQ-P. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the MSNQ-P and the neuropsychological factors, whereas significant correlations were found between two of those factors (Learning and Delayed recall) and the MSNQ-I, suggesting that the informant version is more reliable than the patient version for the presence of cognitive deficits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the results obtained in the present study support the value of the MoCA test as a screening tool for the presence of cognitive dysfunction in MS patients, even in patients with mild functional disability (EDSS).
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal.
authors.forename: Emmanuelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dagenais
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rouleau
authors.forename: Mélanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jobin
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roger
authors.forename: Laury
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chamelian
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duquette
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult