Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults

Background. Ageing is associated with structural changes in brain regions and functional decline in cognitive domains. Noninvasive tools for identifying structural damage in the brains of older adults are relevant for early treatment. Aims. This study aims to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the...

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Main Authors: Paula Andreatta Maduro, Manoel Pereira Guimarães, Mateus de Sousa Rodrigues, Ana Paula Pereira Rolim Coimbra Pinto, Américo Alves da Mota Junior, Alaine Souza Lima Rocha, Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso, Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi, Paulo Adriano Schwingel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Journal of Aging Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5527225
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author Paula Andreatta Maduro
Manoel Pereira Guimarães
Mateus de Sousa Rodrigues
Ana Paula Pereira Rolim Coimbra Pinto
Américo Alves da Mota Junior
Alaine Souza Lima Rocha
Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso
Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi
Paulo Adriano Schwingel
author_facet Paula Andreatta Maduro
Manoel Pereira Guimarães
Mateus de Sousa Rodrigues
Ana Paula Pereira Rolim Coimbra Pinto
Américo Alves da Mota Junior
Alaine Souza Lima Rocha
Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso
Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi
Paulo Adriano Schwingel
author_sort Paula Andreatta Maduro
collection DOAJ
description Background. Ageing is associated with structural changes in brain regions and functional decline in cognitive domains. Noninvasive tools for identifying structural damage in the brains of older adults are relevant for early treatment. Aims. This study aims to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA©) in identifying gray and white matter brain damage in older individuals with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Methods. Ninety older adults (62 women) with an average age of 69 ± 7 years were enrolled and categorized as having no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or moderate cognitive impairment (MoCI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess the number, volume, and distribution of brain damage. The Fazekas and Scheltens scales were applied to the brain MRIs, and inferential statistics were employed to compare variables among the groups. Results. Cognitive impairment was observed in 56.7% of the participants (95% confidence interval (CI): 46.4–66.4%), with thirty-six older adults (40%) classified as MCI and 15 (17%) as MoCI. Cognitive impairment and medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy were found to be associated (p=0.001), exhibiting higher mean volume scales of the MTL atrophied area in the MoCI group (p<0.001). The MMSE accurately revealed MTL atrophy based on the Scheltens (p<0.05) and Fazekas (p<0.05) scales. At the same time, the MoCA accurately identified periventricular white matter (PWM) abnormalities according to the Fazekas scale (p<0.05). Conclusions. The MMSE and MoCA screening tools effectively identified gray and white matter brain damage in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Lower MMSE scores are associated with MTL atrophy and lesions, and lower MoCA scores are related to PWM lesions. The concurrent use of MMSE and MoCA is recommended for assessing structural changes in distinct brain regions.
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spelling doaj-art-0c4988e0557342438fec31505dd02c222025-02-03T05:55:21ZengWileyJournal of Aging Research2090-22122024-01-01202410.1155/2024/5527225Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older AdultsPaula Andreatta Maduro0Manoel Pereira Guimarães1Mateus de Sousa Rodrigues2Ana Paula Pereira Rolim Coimbra Pinto3Américo Alves da Mota Junior4Alaine Souza Lima Rocha5Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso6Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi7Paulo Adriano Schwingel8Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS)Human Performance Research Laboratory (LAPEDH)Human Performance Research Laboratory (LAPEDH)University Hospital of the Federal University of Vale do São Francisco (HU-UNIVASF)Human Performance Research Laboratory (LAPEDH)Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS)Human Performance Research Laboratory (LAPEDH)Human Performance Research Laboratory (LAPEDH)Post-Graduation Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS)Background. Ageing is associated with structural changes in brain regions and functional decline in cognitive domains. Noninvasive tools for identifying structural damage in the brains of older adults are relevant for early treatment. Aims. This study aims to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA©) in identifying gray and white matter brain damage in older individuals with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Methods. Ninety older adults (62 women) with an average age of 69 ± 7 years were enrolled and categorized as having no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or moderate cognitive impairment (MoCI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess the number, volume, and distribution of brain damage. The Fazekas and Scheltens scales were applied to the brain MRIs, and inferential statistics were employed to compare variables among the groups. Results. Cognitive impairment was observed in 56.7% of the participants (95% confidence interval (CI): 46.4–66.4%), with thirty-six older adults (40%) classified as MCI and 15 (17%) as MoCI. Cognitive impairment and medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy were found to be associated (p=0.001), exhibiting higher mean volume scales of the MTL atrophied area in the MoCI group (p<0.001). The MMSE accurately revealed MTL atrophy based on the Scheltens (p<0.05) and Fazekas (p<0.05) scales. At the same time, the MoCA accurately identified periventricular white matter (PWM) abnormalities according to the Fazekas scale (p<0.05). Conclusions. The MMSE and MoCA screening tools effectively identified gray and white matter brain damage in older adults with varying degrees of cognitive impairment. Lower MMSE scores are associated with MTL atrophy and lesions, and lower MoCA scores are related to PWM lesions. The concurrent use of MMSE and MoCA is recommended for assessing structural changes in distinct brain regions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5527225
spellingShingle Paula Andreatta Maduro
Manoel Pereira Guimarães
Mateus de Sousa Rodrigues
Ana Paula Pereira Rolim Coimbra Pinto
Américo Alves da Mota Junior
Alaine Souza Lima Rocha
Juliana Magalhães Duarte Matoso
Bruno Bavaresco Gambassi
Paulo Adriano Schwingel
Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
Journal of Aging Research
title Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
title_full Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
title_fullStr Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
title_full_unstemmed Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
title_short Comparing the Efficacy of Two Cognitive Screening Tools in Identifying Gray and White Matter Brain Damage among Older Adults
title_sort comparing the efficacy of two cognitive screening tools in identifying gray and white matter brain damage among older adults
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5527225
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