Reference values for the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in octo- and nonagenarians

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Assessment

Background:

• The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used tool for cognitive screening.
• Understanding the MMSE's performance in the oldest populations is crucial for accurate cognitive assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Mini-Mental State Examination's (MMSE) validity and reliability in individuals aged 85 and older without neurological or psychiatric conditions.
• To determine the influence of advanced age, education level, and psychoactive drug use on MMSE scores in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A population survey was conducted in Leiden, Netherlands, including 1258 inhabitants over 85 years old.
• The study focused on 532 subjects confirmed to be free of neurological or psychiatric diseases.
• The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was administered to all participants.

Main Results:

• The median MMSE score was 28, and the lowest quartile cut-off score was 26, remaining high even in the tenth decade of life.
• Advanced age did not significantly limit the utility of the MMSE.
• A low level of education (6-7 years) and the use of psychoactive drugs did not negatively affect MMSE results.

Conclusions:

• The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a robust tool for assessing cognition in healthy individuals aged 85 and above.
• Age alone is not a significant barrier to using the MMSE effectively in the oldest populations.
• Educational background and psychoactive medication use did not appear to confound MMSE results in this study group.