Mini mental state examination

Overview
The mini-mental state examination (MMSE) or Folstein test is a brief 30-point questionnaire test that is used to assess cognition. It is commonly used in medicine to screen for dementia. In the time span of about 10 minutes, it samples various functions, including arithmetic, memory and orientation. It was introduced by Folstein et al in 1975, and is widely used with small modifications.

Various other tests are also used, such as the Hodkinson abbreviated mental test score (1972, geriatrics) and longer formal tests for deeper analysis of specific deficits.

This test is not the same thing as a mental status examination.

The test
The MMSE test includes simple questions and problems in a number of areas: the time and place of the test, repeating lists of words, arithmetic, language use and comprehension, and copying a drawing.

Interpretation
Any score over 27 (out of 30) is effectively normal. Below this, 20-26 indicates mild dementia; 10-19 moderate dementia, and below 10 severe dementia. The normal value is also corrected for degree of schooling and age. Low to very low scores correlate closely with the presence of dementia, although other mental disorders can also lead to abnormal findings on MMSE testing. The presence of purely physical problems can also interfere with interpretation if not properly noted; for example, a patient may be physically unable to hear or read instructions properly, or may have a motor deficit that affects writing and drawing skills.

MMSE copyright
With the significant popularity of the test, the current copyright owner (Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR)) decided, after many years, to start enforcing the copyright and set-up a website to sell official versions of the test.

The enforcement of the copyright on the MMSE has been compared to stealth patents, where a patent holder waits until an invention gains widespread popularity until commencing enforcement.