Initial phase of adaptation of Memory Alteration Test (M@T) in a Portuguese sample

The Memory Alteration Test is a screening test able to discriminate the amnestic mild cognitive impairment (A-MCI) and mild Alzheimer disease from subjective memory complain group (SMC-G). The aim of this study was to analyze the European Portuguese experimental version of the Memory Alteration Test (M@T-PT).

Were described the successive stages of the translation and adaptation procedure used to develop the M@T-PT. The psychometric properties were explored using principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation, internal consistence, convergent validity and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. Chi-squared, ANOVAs and Pearson's correlation were also analyzed. A total of 330 people with an age greater or equal to 54 years old participated. According to their cognitive state they were classified as normal controls (n=28), SMC-G (n=81) or A-MCI (n=221).

The PCA for the M@T-PT indicated that the total variance explained by three components was 48.07%. A high internal consistent was obtained (α=0.93). Convergent validity was verified using M@T-PT and Mini-Mental State Examination (r=0.83, p<0.001) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (r=0.86, p<0.001). An optimal cut-off point was 32 points with sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 71% to differentiate SMC-G from A-MCI.

M@T-PT is an easily applicable screening test with discriminants validity and is a psychometrically sound instrument for use in older people in Portugal.