Montreal Cognitive Assessment in a 63- to 65-year-old Norwegian Cohort from the General Population: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study

• <b><i>Aims:</i></b> To investigate Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test scores in a cohort aged 63–65 years from a general population in relation to the proposed cut-off score of 26 for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to explore the impact of education. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> MoCA scores were assessed in the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 Study, a cross-sectional cohort study of all men and women born in 1950 living in Akershus County, Norway. The participants were aged 63–65 at the time of data collection. <b><i>Results:</i></b> MoCA scores were available in 3,413 participants, of which 47% had higher education (&#x3e;12 years). The mean MoCA score was 25.3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.2–25.4), and 49% had a score below the suggested cut-off of 26 points. Those with higher education had significantly higher scores (mean 26.2, 95% CI 26.1–26.3 vs. 24.4, 95% CI 24.3–24.6, p &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Approximately 50% scored below the cut-off score of 26 points, suggesting that the cut-off score may have been set too high to distinguish normal cognitive function from MCI. Educational level had a significant impact on MoCA scores.

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