The Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) 8.1 version, including the memory index score (MoCA-MIS): Italian norms

We standardized, in Italy, the latest version (i.e., 8.1) of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), including the Memory Index Score (MoCA-MIS), a sensible index of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia.

Six hundred sixty-eight healthy participants took part in the study (age range: 18-99 years, education range: 1-30 years; females: 344). We conducted multiple linear regressions to detect the best predictors (Age, Education, Biological sex, and Cognitive reserve) of participants' performance.

The results showed that Age, Education, and, occasionally, Biological sex were significant predictors. In contrast, the contribution of Cognitive reserve did not show a systematic pattern. We provided a spreadsheet to precisely transform Raw scores into Adjusted scores for Age, Education, and Biological sex. Finally, Adjusted scores can be classified into Equivalent scores.

We conclude that the present standardization of the MoCA (8.1), including the MoCA-MIS, is a useful contribution for the neuropsychological screening of Italian-speaking persons.