What is the primary purpose of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)?

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is primarily designed to measure cognitive impairment. It is a clinically validated tool that assesses various aspects of cognitive function, including orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills. The MMSE provides healthcare professionals with a standardized method to evaluate a patient’s cognitive abilities, helping to identify conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cognitive disorders. This tool is valuable in both clinical and research settings for detecting changes in cognition over time, which is crucial in developing treatment plans and tracking progress. By focusing on cognitive assessment, the MMSE allows practitioners to hone in on significant impairments that may require further investigation or intervention.