Psychometric Limitations of the Mini-Mental State Examination Among Nondemented Older Adults: An Evaluation of Neurocognitive and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlates

Abstract

Overall, MMSE scores exhibited ceiling effects, poor test-retest reliability, limited sensitivity to subtle brain abnormalities, and a high rate of intrusion elsewhere in the neuropsychological battery. Individual MMSE items demonstrated poor construct validity. These qualities illustrate the serious limitations of the MMSE in detecting individual differences in cognitive function among healthy older adults.