Mini-Mental State Evaluation

The Mini-Mental State Evaluation (MMSE) is a very popular instrument and includes components of orientation, calculation, registration, memory and praxis. It required active participation by patients who have to perform a number of simple tasks. The MMSE provides a rough estimate of cognitive decline it is useful for screening purposes because it takes a very short time to perform (Folstein et al., 1975). 

The Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) can help to establish a history of deficits in two or more areas of cognition and establish a baseline against which to evaluate change in severity. The average expected decline in an untreated patient is 2 to 4 points per year. 

Recognition of presenting signs and/or symptoms that dictate the need for further medical evaluation (e.g., a known history of recurring or chronic medical illness, prominent physical symptoms, evidence of an organic mental disorder on the Mini-Mental State Examination, substance abuse disorder)... 

Several clinical trials on the efficacy of hupA for the treatment of AD have been conducted in China, and recently, a phase II trial was completed in the USA. Clinical tests, e.g., MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) and ADL (Activities of daily living), as well as other memory tests, were used to evaluate the effects of the treatment. Table 39.2 reviews the semp, trial conditions, and results from the clinical trials. Note that for the trials conducted in China, only the four studies selected by a meta-analysis performed by Wang et al. in 2009 are included in Table 39.2 [64, 87-90]. 

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