Ajda Novak1, Karmen Vizjak1, Albin Gacnik1, Martin Rakusa2. 1. Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. 2. Divison of Neurology, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. ris101@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Although cognitive impairment is common in people with epilepsy, it is often neglected in outpatient clinics. MoCA is a simple and reliable test, which was validated for the cognitive screening of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to evaluate MoCA as a tool for a cognitive screening of people with epilepsy. METHODS: Our study included 50 people with epilepsy and 46 healthy individuals. All participants took the Slovenian version of the MoCA. Mean age, education and MoCA scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between people with epilepsy and the controls in age (47.6, SD 18.1 vs 50.9, SD 14.0 years) or education (12.8, SD 2.8 vs 13.4, SD 2.8 years). People with epilepsy had significantly lower total MoCA scores than did the controls (23.3, SD 4.5 vs 27.5, SD 1.9 points; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: People with epilepsy achieved a lower score in several cognitive domains compared to the control group. MoCA can be used as an appropriate screening tool for cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy in the outpatient clinic. For a more accurate evaluation, neuropsychological assessments should be used.
OBJECTIVES: Although cognitive impairment is common in people with epilepsy, it is often neglected in outpatient clinics. MoCA is a simple and reliable test, which was validated for the cognitive screening of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to evaluate MoCA as a tool for a cognitive screening of people with epilepsy. METHODS: Our study included 50 people with epilepsy and 46 healthy individuals. All participants took the Slovenian version of the MoCA. Mean age, education and MoCA scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between people with epilepsy and the controls in age (47.6, SD 18.1 vs 50.9, SD 14.0 years) or education (12.8, SD 2.8 vs 13.4, SD 2.8 years). People with epilepsy had significantly lower total MoCA scores than did the controls (23.3, SD 4.5 vs 27.5, SD 1.9 points; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: People with epilepsy achieved a lower score in several cognitive domains compared to the control group. MoCA can be used as an appropriate screening tool for cognitive impairment in people with epilepsy in the outpatient clinic. For a more accurate evaluation, neuropsychological assessments should be used.
Authors: Robert S Fisher; Walter van Emde Boas; Warren Blume; Christian Elger; Pierre Genton; Phillip Lee; Jerome Engel Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 5.864