Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

Folstein's MMSE is a brief clinician-rated tool used for rapid screening of global cognitive impairment and for longitudinal monitoring of its course. It mainly explores temporal and spatial orientation, registration, attention and calculation, delayed recall, language, written and oral comprehension, writing and constructional praxis. Widely used in clinical psychology, geriatrics, neurology and psychiatry, it helps objectively assess the level of cognitive functioning, identify possible decline and document the effect of treatment. Its interpretation must remain cautious, because performance is influenced by age, education level, language and cultural context, as well as by possible sensory, motor or attentional impairments.