The relationship between the mini-mental state examination and cognitive functioning in normal elderly adults: a componential analysis

The relationship between the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and selected cognitive performance indices was examined in a sample of 251 non-demented adults over 75 years of age. MMSE items were divided into I 1 binomial content domains and an examination of these revealed that only seven had sufficient variability to predict cognitive performance. A factor analysis with these items yielded three factors, reflecting memory, spatial skill, and the ability to follow commands. After controlling for age and education, these factor scores were included as predictors of specific cognitive tasks including two measures of free recall, and two measures of visuospatial skill. The memory factor score was a strong predictor of the two free recall tasks and block design. The spatial factor score contributed to the prediction of the two visuospatial measures, as well as free recall of organizable words. The results suggest that, in normal ageing, the predictive value of the MMSE is due to subset of cognitively demanding items that are heavily influenced by both memory and visuospatial skills.