Initial phase of adaptation of Memory Alteration Test (M@T) in a Portuguese sample.
OBJECTIVE
The Memory Alteration Test is a screening test able to discriminate the amnestic mild cognitive impairment (A-MCI) and mild Alzheimer disease from subjective memory complain group (SMC-G). The aim of this study was to analyze the European Portuguese experimental version of the Memory Alteration Test (M@T-PT).


METHODS
Were described the successive stages of the translation and adaptation procedure used to develop the M@T-PT. The psychometric properties were explored using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation, internal consistence, convergent validity and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Chi-squared, ANOVAs and Pearson's correlation were also analyzed. A total of 330 people with an age greater or equal to 54 years old participated. According to their cognitive state they were classified as normal controls (n=28), SMC-G (n=81) or A-MCI (n=221).


RESULTS
The PCA for the M@T-PT indicated that the total variance explained by three components was 48.07%. A high internal consistent was obtained (α=0.93). Convergent validity was verified using M@T-PT and Mini-Mental State Examination (r=0.83, p<0.001) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (r=0.86, p<0.001). An optimal cut-off point was 32 points with sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 71% to differentiate SMC-G from A-MCI.


CONCLUSIONS
M@T-PT is an easily applicable screening test with discriminants validity and is a psychometrically sound instrument for use in older people in Portugal.
Aveiro University, Portugal. Electronic address: m.sousa@ua.pt.
Mónica
M
Sousa
Aveiro University, Portugal. Electronic address: anabelapereira@ua.pt.
Anabela
A
Pereira
Aveiro University, Portugal. Electronic address: rcosta@ua.pt.
Rui
R
Costa
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Spain. Electronic address: lrami@clinic.ub.es.
Lorena
L
Rami
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000379:methods*; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
Cognitive assessment; Mild cognitive impairment; Neuropsychological test; Older adults; Subjective memory complains