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Can You Have Dementia With an MMSE Score of 30?

Bloomfield Center For Research in Aging Montreal

Hyman M. Schipper, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Bloomfield Center For Research in Aging Montreal, Department oF Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, Division oF Geriatric Medicine McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada

Howard Bergman, MD

Bloomfield Center For Research in Aging Montreal, howard.chertkow{at}mcgill.ca., Division oF Geriatric Medicine McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada

Howard Chertkow, MD, FRCPC

Bloomfield Center For Research in Aging Montreal, Department oF Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada, Division oF Geriatric Medicine McGill University and Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada

Objective. To investigate the possibility that a patient with a diagnosis oF probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) can still obtain a score oF 30/30 on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). Design. Chart review. Setting. The McGill University/Jewish General Hospital Memory Clinic. Participants. Participants were selected From the Memory Clinic's patient database. All underwent comprehensive evaluations, including relevant blood work and a computed tomographic scan or a magnetic resonance imaging scan oF the brain to rule out other causes oF dementia. Measurements. All patients had one or more neuropsychological evaluation. Data oF all psychometric testing, including the MMSE, were gathered From these visits. Results. Eight patients were Found to meet the criteria oF AD although achieving a score oF 30/30 on the MMSE. Four oF 8 patients achieved this score although they were taking cholinesterase inhibitors. Conclusion. Although rare, it is possible to achieve a score oF 30/30 on the MMSE even iF a subject is suFFering From a dementing illness.

Key Words: Mini-Mental State Examination • Alzheimer's disease • memory

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