Clock drawing test (CDT) in the screening of mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

The progressive increase of prevalence and incidence of dementia require growing attention in identifying subjects with early cognitive impairment. We have evaluated the results of mini mental state examination (MMSE) and CDT in elderly patients affected by MCI and mild dementia and in subjects without cognitive impairment, to measure whether combined use of two well-known cognitive screening tests (MMSE, CDT) is useful to identify precociously subjects with possible MCI. Using the statistical model of binomial logistic regression we have pointed out that CDT better differentiates healthy controls from MCI patients. MMSE, on the contrary of CDT, differentiates MCI patients from subjects affected by dementia. Finally, during screening, administration of both CDT and MMSE can be useful to identify precociously subjects with possible MCI.