Introduction. The addition onto the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of the Memory Index Score (MoCA MIS) has enabled the use of the MoCA for screening of memory impairment through this MoCA...Show moreIntroduction. The addition onto the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of the Memory Index Score (MoCA MIS) has enabled the use of the MoCA for screening of memory impairment through this MoCA MIS. This MoCA MIS has been little compared with a neuropsychological measure of memory. A comparison which would indicate the level to which (parts of) the MoCA would measure the cognitive domain of memory. The current study aimed to examine whether one part of the MoCA MIS could predict this domain of memory, whether the MoCA MIS predict this as well, and whether the prediction of memory due this specific part of the MoCA MIS could be improved upon through the addition of the rest of the MoCA MIS. Method. A cross-sectional design is used, within a sample of neuropsychiatric patients of an outpatient care clinic (n =22). The MoCA delayed recall trial, MoCA MIS, MoCA MIS points due to MoCA delayed recall trial, and MoCA MIS points due to the combined cued recall/recognition trials are the independent variables. The dependent variable is the AVLT delayed recall trial. Simple regression and hierarchical regression is used to examine the assumed predictive relationship. Results. The MoCA delayed recall and the MoCA MIS, each significantly predicted performance on the AVLT delayed recall. The prediction of the AVLT delayed recall trial with the points due to the MoCA delayed recall trial, did not improve significantly through the addition of the MIS points due to the combined cued recall/recognition trials. Discussion. Limitations in sample size, sample composition and the outcome measures restrict the generalization of the results. In spite of the limitations of the current study, the current study's results might reflect that the raw MoCA delayed recall score could potentially be as informative as the MoCA MIS when estimating a patient's future performance on a verbal memory test. Though within clinical practice, relevant cut-offs or other normative data should be utilized when using to screen for, or when estimating (memory) impairment, with the MoCA/MoCA MIS.Show less
