{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.024022346368715083, 'fraction_numerical': 0.02011173184357542, 'mean_word_length': 4.579439252336448, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
C-03 The sensitivity and specificity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is Age Dependent for Amyloid Positivity in a Mixed Clinical Sample


 
 
 The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a widely-used screening tool for neurodegenerative disorders. Despite widespread use, there have been few investigations into correlations between MoCA and biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease pathology. This study examined the relationship between MoCA performance and the presence of amyloid as detected by positron emission tomography (PET).
 
 
 
 Sensitivity and specificity for the total MoCA score were determined for 76 individuals (26 amyloid-negative, 50 amyloid- positive) who were between the ages of 55 and 90 and diagnosed with MCI or mild dementia with a CDR score of 0-1 and were participating in a longitudinal, observational study at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. All individuals underwent an amyloid PET scan and cognitive screening.
 
 
 
 Sensitivity and specificity for the total score were determined using amyloid positivity as the standard. A cutpoint of 25 yielded the best balance between sensitivity and specificity (74% and 74%, respectively). A total score of 27 was required to achieve 90% sensitivity to identify amyloid positive individuals (i.e. only a 10% risk that individuals with a score of 28-30 have a positive scan). A score of 26 was required in individuals over the age of 75.
 
 
 
 With the emergence of new diagnostic biomarkers, there is need to define the utility of affordable, widely-available screening tools. In this mixed clinical sample, the MoCA score showed good sensitivity for detecting amyloid pathology but with low specificity. Thus a total MoCA score of 28 is needed to confidently rule out risk for AD pathology.
