Montreal Cognitive Assessment Memory Index Score (MoCA-MIS) as a Predictor of Conversion from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease

Objectives To assess the usefulness of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score (MoCA‐TS) and Memory Index Score (MoCA‐MIS) in predicting conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Community‐based memory clinic. Participants Individuals meeting Petersen's MCI criteria (N = 165). Measurements Baseline MoCA scores at MCI diagnosis were collected from charts of eligible individuals with MCI, and MoCA‐TS, MoCA‐MIS, and a cognitive domain index score were calculated to assess their prognostic value in predicting conversion to AD. Results One hundred fourteen participants progressed to AD (MCI‐AD), and 51 did not (nonconverters; MCI‐NC); 90.5% of participants with MCI with a MoCA‐TS less than 20/30 and a MoCA‐MIS less than 7/15 at baseline converted to AD within the average follow‐up period of 18 months, compared with 52.7% of participants with MCI above the cutoffs on both scores. Individuals with multiple‐domain amnestic MCI had the highest AD conversion rates (73.9%). Conclusion Identifying individuals with MCI at high risk of conversion to AD is important clinically and for selecting appropriate subjects for therapeutic trials. Individuals with MCI with a low MoCA‐TS and a low newly devised memory index score (MoCA‐MIS) are at greater risk of short‐term conversion to AD.