Differences in performance on English and Hebrew versions of the MoCA in Parkinson's patients

Yaqian Xu, Anat Mirelman, Rachel Saunders-Pullman, Helen Mejia-Santana, Elise Caccappolo, Deborah Raymond, Nir Giladi, Susan Bressman, Karen Marder, Roy N. Alcalay

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), an instrument widely used for cognitive screening in Parkinson's disease (PD), is validated in Hebrew and English. However, it remains unknown whether the scores are comparable. Methods: The MoCA was analyzed in 483 Ashkenazi Jewish PD patients in Tel-Aviv and New York who had MoCA ≥21. Each section of the MoCA was compared between English and Hebrew. Linear regression models were used to test the association between MoCA performance and language. Results: Total MoCA scores were lower in Hebrew than in English (25.4 versus 26.1; P = 0.007), even after adjustment for age, sex, PD duration, genotype, levodopa equivalent dose, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), and Geriatric Depression Scale score in a linear model (P < 0.001). However, when language sections were removed from the total, scores were similar between the languages (Hebrew 23.7 versus English 23.4, P = 0.111). Conclusion: The language section of the MoCA may be more difficult in Hebrew. The comparability of MoCA in different languages requires further evaluation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number100042
JournalClinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders
Volume3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • LRRK2
  • Language
  • Parkinson's disease
  • The Montreal Cognitive Assessment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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