Géraud Dautzenberg

General introduction

Table 4. DSM 5 descriptions of the cognitive domainds Domains (DSM-5) Description

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Examples

Complex attention involves sustained attention, divided attention,

Trail making test Serial seven Digit span Months backwards

selective attention, and information processing speed

Executive ability

involves planning, decision making, working memory, responding to feedback, error correction, overriding habits, and mental flexibility

Proverb test Letter Fluency (phonemic)

Language

involves expressive language and receptive language naming, fluency, grammar, and syntax repetition

Learning and memory

involves immediate memory, recent memory (free recall, cued recall, and recognition memory), and long term memory praxis- Conception and planning of a motor act in response to an environmental demand

Memory test of words (verbal memory) or pictures (visual memory) involves picking up the telephone, handwriting, using a fork/spoon Clock drawing test Recognizing emotions Theory of mind

Perceptual - Motor - Visual perception

Social cognition

involves recognition of emotions and behavioural regulation, social appropriateness in terms of dress, grooming, and topics of conversation

Although the MoCA tests several domains, it does not test all of the above-mentioned cognitive domains. Below, we explain the cognitive domains used by the MoCA per item. The instructions are read out aloud. There should not be any aid from the staff or from the next of kin. If a patient corrects their mistake (immediately) by themselves, the points to be gained will be allocated.

Table 5. The domains the MoCA tests and how. Domains (MoCA) Max 30 points

Description/ Item MoCA test example (V7.1)

Visuospatial and Executive functioning max 5 points:

With a pencil on the paper

Alternating Trail Making, 1 point

The patient is asked to draw a line alternating between numbers and letters in increasing order. The letters and numbers are scattered or ‘not in an orderly placed’ on the test field. The patient is asked to copy a three-dimensional figure: a cube. The patient is asked to draw a clock including the hands on ten past eleven. Points are scored for the shape (1), digits in order (1) and putting the hands in the correct place (1).

Visuo-constructional Skills , 1 point Visuo-constructional Skills , 3 points

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