Validation of the modified telephone interview for cognitive status in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and intact elders.

Although the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) is frequently used as a screening measure of cognition in dementia and aging studies, it has not been validated in individuals with milder cognitive impairments. The current study compared 2 groups [amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (n=61) and cognitively intact elders (n=62)] on the mTICS and used regression models to predict baseline scores on standardized memory tests using baseline mTICS scores. Baseline mTICS scores were also used to predict 1-year follow-up scores on memory tests in a subsample (n=91). Large group differences (P<0.01) were found between the amnestic individuals and their healthy peers on the mTICS total score, 2-factor scores, and 3 of 14 individual items. Baseline mTICS scores predicted between 22% and 43% of baseline memory composite scores and 21% and 28% of 1-year memory composite scores. Overall, these results provide additional validation of the mTICS as a valuable screening instrument for cognition in individuals with milder cognitive impairments.