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Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

Essential4Health

Get Healthy ~ Stay Healthy

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Mini-Mental Status Examination

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MMSE

Description

"Mini-Mental Status Examination" (MMSE) is a brief screening tool used to assess memory, orientation, and thinking skills. Doctors often recommend it when early signs of cognitive decline—like forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating—are suspected. The test includes simple tasks such as recalling words, solving basic problems, and following instructions. It’s quick but effective at highlighting areas of concern. Results provide a score that helps guide diagnosis, track changes over time, and support treatment planning.

"Mini-Mental Status Examination" (MMSE) is a brief screening tool used to assess memory, orientation, and thinking skills. Doctors often recommend it when early signs of cognitive decline—like forgetfulness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating—are suspected. The test includes simple tasks such as recalling words, solving basic problems, and following instructions. It’s quick but effective at highlighting areas of concern. Results provide a score that helps guide diagnosis, track changes over time, and support treatment planning.

Category

Brain Function

Procedure

Non-Invasive

Sample Type

No biological sample is needed for this test.

Units

Points

Procedure Category

Assess

Test Group

Neurocognitive Assessment Group

Test Group Description

Neurocognitive Assessment Group: Tests within this group focus on evaluating various aspects of cognitive function and brain health. These assessments provide insights into memory, attention, language, and executive functions.

Optimal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: 30 pts

  • SI Unit: Not Applicable

Normal Range

For All Individuals:

  • Conventional Unit: 25–30 pts

  • SI Unit: Not Applicable

Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)

Abnormal results may indicate:


  • Alzheimer's disease (Neurodegenerative disorder leading to memory loss and cognitive decline)

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons)

  • Anxiety (Excessive worry or fear)

  • Brain abscess (Collection of pus in the brain)

  • Brain tumors

  • Cerebral aneurysm (Weaken...

Key Reasons For Testing

  • Screening for Cognitive Impairment: Detects early cognitive decline in older adults for timely intervention.

  • Assessment of Cognitive Function: Evaluates orientation, memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills.

  • Diagnosis of Dementia: Identifies cognitive deficits linked to dementia syndromes like Alzheimer’s.

  • Monitoring Disease Progression: Tracks cognitive decline to guide treatment and care plans.

  • Evaluation of Treatment Response: Measures changes in cognitive function after therapeutic interventions.

Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess

Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.

Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test

Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.

References

Important Note

Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.


Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.

Disclaimer

This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.


Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.

[1] Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR. "Mini-mental state." A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12(3):189-198.
[2] Tombaugh TN, McIntyre NJ. The Mini-Mental State Examination: a comprehensive review. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1992;40(9):922-935.
[3] Arevalo-Rodriguez I, Smailagic N, Roqué i Figuls M, et al. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the detection of dementia in clinically unevaluated people aged 65 and over in community and primary care populations. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(3).
[4] Mitchell AJ. A meta-analysis of the accuracy of the mini-mental state examination in the detection of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. J Psychiatr Res. 2009;43(4):411-431.
[5] Creavin ST, Wisniewski S, Noel-Storr AH, et al. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the detection of dementia in people aged 65 and over in community and primary care populations. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;(1).
[6] Bassuk SS, Glass TA, Berkman LF. Social disengagement and incident cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly persons. Ann Intern Med. 1999;131(3):165-173.
[7] O'Bryant SE, Humphreys JD, Smith GE, et al. Detecting dementia with the Mini-Mental State Examination in highly educated individuals. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(7):963-967.
[8] Crum RM, Anthony JC, Bassett SS, Folstein MF. Population-based norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination by age and educational level. JAMA. 1993;269(18):2386-2391.
[9] Aretouli E, Brandt J. Neuropsychological deficits can be misclassified as mild cognitive impairment in older people with low education: a demonstration with the Mini-Mental State Examination. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2010;30(5):410-415.
[10] Bleecker ML, Bolla-Wilson K, Kawas C, Agnew J. Age-specific norms for the Mini-Mental State Exam. Neurology. 1988;38(10):1565-1568.
[11] Grace J, Nadler JD, White DA, Guilmette TJ, Giuliano AJ, Brody EM. Folstein vs modified Mini-Mental State Examination in geriatric stroke. Arch Neurol. 1995;52(8):715-720.

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