![]() ![]() Taken together, such stances imply that, in Italy, no up-to-date, generalizable PD-specific cut-off is available for the MoCA. ’s study, which dates back to 2015, of course could not address the most recent normative dataset for the MoCA-which has been updated in 2021. ’s investigation, which included N = 43 patients. ’s report-or addressed a limited sample size -as is the case for Federico et al. overall provided data supporting the diagnostic value of the MoCA in non-demented PD patients, such studies either preceded the availability of demographically adjusted norms for the Italian MoCA (which were first delivered in 2015 )-as is the case for Biundo et al. ![]() Indeed, first, neither of these reports delivers evidence on the construct validity of the MoCA in this population-as both merely focussing on its diagnostic properties. are both lacking in relevant information and outdated. However, with specific regard to the Italian scenario, the only two studies that focussed on the clinimetrics MoCA in non-demented PD patients-the first by Biundo et al. In fact, the MoCA samples from all of the abovementioned cognitive functions and domains are typically involved in PD. Such a screener has indeed received major support for use in this population by the International literature as far as its psychometrics, diagnostics as well as both cross-sectional and longitudinal feasibility are concerned, being also recommended within clinical trials as an outcome measure. To this aim, according to the 2018 Movement Disorders Society (MDS) guidelines, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is-amongst those tests that are disease-nonspecific-strongly recommended. Since such dysfunctions detrimentally impact on patients’ functional outcomes and prognosis, to screen for them via clinimetrically sound and feasible performance-based tests is clinically pivotal and thus highly advisable. memory, visuo-spatial skills and language. attention and executive functioning-and instrumental domains- i.e. Up to 40% of non-demented patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) present with cognitive impairment within both non-instrumental functions- i.e. Further studies are nevertheless needed that confirm its diagnostic values against a measure other than the MMSE. The Italian MoCA is a valid and diagnostically sound screener for global cognitive inefficiency in non-demented PD patients. A MoCA score adjusted for age and education according to the most recent normative dataset and < 19.015 is herewith suggested as indexing cognitive impairment in this population (AUC = .92 sensitivity = .92 specificity = .80). Both raw and adjusted MoCA scores proved to be highly accurate to the aim of identifying patients with MMSE-confirmed cognitive dysfunctions. The MoCA was associated with both PD-CRS scores ( p < .001) and the vast majority of second-level cognitive measures ( ps < .003). Diagnostics were tested via receiver-operating characteristics analyses against a below-cut-off MMSE score. Construct validity was assessed against both the PD-CRS and the second-level cognitive battery. A subsample ( N = 60) also underwent a second-level cognitive battery encompassing measures of attention/executive functioning, language, memory, praxis and visuo-spatial abilities. ![]() ![]() MethodsĪ retrospective cohort of N = 237 non-demented PD patients having been administered the MoCA was addressed, of whom N = 169 further underwent the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and N = 68 the Parkinson’s Disease Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS). This study aimed at: (1) assessing, in an Italian cohort of non-demented Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, the construct validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) against both first- and second-level cognitive measures (2) delivering an exhaustive and updated evaluation of its diagnostic properties. ![]()
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