DETECTION OF IMPAIRMENT WITH THE MINI-MENTAL-STATE-EXAMINATION

The Mini-Mental State Exam is a brief screening instrument commonly us ed in evaluating geriatric patients for the presence of cognitive impa irment. An investigation of the instrument's ability to detect varying levels and types of cognitive impairment in psychogeriatric patients was conducted. Results revealed significant limitations in the instrum ent's ability to detect dementia, as well as other cognitive impairmen ts. These limitations suggest that certain types of cognitive impairme nt may be overlooked if the MMS is relied upon as a definitive screeni ng tool.