MMSE
Also written as: MMSE — Mini-Mental State Examination
A brief screening tool used to assess cognitive function and detect cognitive impairment in clinical settings.
Full Definition
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used, standardized cognitive screening instrument that evaluates various aspects of cognitive function including orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and language. Developed by Folstein and colleagues in 1975, the MMSE consists of 11 questions that take approximately 10 minutes to administer and yields a total score out of 30 points. Scores below 24 are generally considered indicative of cognitive impairment, though interpretation must consider the individual's education level, cultural background, and other factors. The MMSE is commonly used in psychiatric and neurological settings to screen for dementia, delirium, and other cognitive disorders, though it has limitations in detecting mild cognitive impairment.
Usage
Usage note: Always capitalize as MMSE; spell out on first use in formal documents.
In Context
- "The patient's MMSE score of 18 suggested moderate cognitive impairment requiring further neuropsychological testing." — Psychiatric evaluation
- "Annual MMSE administration is standard protocol for monitoring cognitive decline in our dementia clinic." — Clinical protocol