MoCA
Pronunciation: MOH-kah
Also written as: MoCA — Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a brief cognitive screening tool more sensitive to mild cognitive impairment than traditional instruments.
Full Definition
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely used cognitive screening instrument designed to detect mild cognitive impairment in older adults. Developed by Dr. Ziad Nasreddine, the MoCA evaluates multiple cognitive domains including visuospatial/executive function, naming, memory, attention, language, abstraction, delayed recall, and orientation. The test takes approximately 10 minutes to administer and has a maximum score of 30 points, with scores below 26 typically indicating cognitive impairment. Unlike the MMSE, the MoCA is more sensitive to executive dysfunction and is particularly useful in detecting early dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The assessment includes tasks such as clock drawing, cube copying, and serial subtraction, making it valuable for comprehensive geriatric psychiatric evaluations.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize; include score as fraction (e.g., 24/30).
In Context
- "The patient scored 23/30 on the MoCA, suggesting mild cognitive impairment requiring further evaluation." — initial psychiatric assessment
- "We administered the MoCA rather than the MMSE due to its superior sensitivity for executive dysfunction." — neuropsychology referral