Early dementia detection using MMST
The MMST (Mini Mental Status Text) is used to determine the cognitive abilities of older people. It is a very commonly used dementia test.
The Mini Mental Status Test consists of a simple questionnaire. Based on the different tasks, brain performances such as orientation, memory, attention, arithmetic and language are tested.
Some tasks in the MMST
- What year are we living in?
- What season is it now?
- What is the date today?
- In which village are we?
- Where are we (in what doctor’s office/home for the elderly)?
- On which floor?
The MMST tests attention and arithmetic using the following task: “Count backwards in increments of seven starting at 100.” After five subtractions (93, 86, 79, 72, 65), a stop is made and the examiner counts the correct answers.
In another task, the patient is shown a wristwatch and asked what it is. The whole thing is then repeated with a pencil.
Another task in the MMST involves a three-part command for the patient to comply with: “Take a leaf in your hand, fold it in half, and place it on the floor.” One point is awarded for each correctly performed action.
In further tasks, the patient is asked to write down any complete sentence (of free choice) (with subject and verb) and to accurately trace two intersecting pentagons.
MMST: Evaluation
- 20 – 26 points: mild Alzheimer’s dementia
- 10 – 19 points: moderate Alzheimer’s dementia
- < 10 points: severe Alzheimer's dementia
Weaknesses of the MMST
Because the MMST is so easy and quick to perform, it is widely used in dementia diagnosis. However, it also has shortcomings. For example, the MMST is not very sensitive to minor cognitive deficits, meaning that mild cognitive impairment is difficult to detect with it.
Another weakness of the MMST is that it does not allow a more differentiated assessment of the various cognitive abilities. It is therefore often combined with other test procedures.