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Updated: Jun 1, 2026
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental Status Examination compared as cognitive screening tools in heart
Ponrathi Athilingam1, Kathleen B King, Scott W Burgin
1College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida 33612, USA. pathilin@health.usf.edu
Insights
Heart failure patients have a higher risk of cognitive impairment. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) effectively screens for mild to moderate cognitive impairment in this population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Heart failure (HF) patients face a fourfold increased risk of cognitive impairment compared to the general population.
- Cognitive screening is not a standard procedure for HF patients, despite this elevated risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for cognitive screening in adults with heart failure.
- To determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a community-dwelling heart failure population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 90 community-dwelling adults aged 50+ with heart failure.
- Participants completed the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the MoCA to evaluate cognitive function.
- Demographic and clinical data, including ejection fraction, were collected.
Main Results:
- 54% of participants scored ≤26 on the MoCA, indicating mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- 17% scored ≤22 on the MoCA, suggesting moderate cognitive impairment.
- The MoCA revealed lowest scores in visuospatial/executive function, short-term memory, and delayed recall.
Conclusions:
- The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) shows promise for screening cognitive function in stable heart failure patients.
- These preliminary findings highlight the need for routine cognitive assessment in HF care.
Background:
Heart failure (HF) patients run four times the risk of developing cognitive impairment than does the general population, yet cognitive screening is not routinely performed.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study enrolled 90 community-dwelling adults with HF aged 50 years and above. Participants took the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), to measure cognitive function in persons with HF. Participants were predominately men (66%) and Caucasian (78%), aged 50-89 years (62 SD, 9 years), and 77% had an ejection fraction <40%.
Results:
Fifty-four percent of participants scored ≤26 on the MoCA, suggesting mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 17% scored ≤22, suggesting moderate cognitive impairment, compared with 2.2% on the MMSE. The MoCA scores were lowest for visuospatial/executive domain, short-term memory, and delayed recall. These findings were similar to those in published reports.
Conclusion:
These preliminary findings support the use of MoCA for cognitive screening in stable HF.
