Poster
183
(#183) Exploring the Link Between MoCA Scores and Centiloid Values in Alzheimer's Disease: A Step Toward Understanding Cognitive and Amyloid Interactions
Psych Congress 2025
Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to examine the correlation between cognitive function, as assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, and amyloid burden, represented by Centiloid values from positron emission tomography (PET) scans, in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Methods: Participants with short-term memory deterioration presented between February 24th and July 31st, 2025, and were diagnosed with AD using amyloid PET scans. Cognitive function was assessed using the MoCA, with a cutoff score of less than 26 indicating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Data collected included age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The correlation between MoCA scores and Centiloid values was analyzed using Pearson correlation, and statistical comparisons were made using Fisher's Exact Test. All analyses were performed using Python (Version 3.9).
Results: 47 patients presented to the neurology clinic for evaluation of mild cognitive impairment. Of these, 31 (66.0%) were AD. The AD patients had a mean age of 75.1 years (SD = 7.7), 77.4% female, and a mean MoCA score of 21.2 (SD = 2.6). There were 77.5% Whites, 6.5% Asians, 3.2% Blacks, and other or missing 12.9%. There were 6.5% Hispanics. Centiloid-MoCA correlation was r = 0.369 (p = 0.0445).
Conclusion: The moderate correlation observed between amyloid burden and cognitive function in AD suggests that amyloid accumulation may contribute to cognitive decline, though other factors are likely involved. This underscores the complexity of the disease and the need for further research to identify additional biomarkers and clinical variables influencing cognitive impairment in AD.
Short Description: This study examined the correlation between cognitive function, assessed by MoCA, and amyloid burden, represented by Centiloid values from PET scans, in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among 47 patients with mild cognitive impairment, 31 were diagnosed with AD. A moderate correlation was found between Centiloid values and MoCA scores, suggesting amyloid accumulation contributes to cognitive decline, though other factors likely play a role. Further research is needed to explore additional influencing factors.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): N/A
Methods: Participants with short-term memory deterioration presented between February 24th and July 31st, 2025, and were diagnosed with AD using amyloid PET scans. Cognitive function was assessed using the MoCA, with a cutoff score of less than 26 indicating mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. Data collected included age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The correlation between MoCA scores and Centiloid values was analyzed using Pearson correlation, and statistical comparisons were made using Fisher's Exact Test. All analyses were performed using Python (Version 3.9).
Results: 47 patients presented to the neurology clinic for evaluation of mild cognitive impairment. Of these, 31 (66.0%) were AD. The AD patients had a mean age of 75.1 years (SD = 7.7), 77.4% female, and a mean MoCA score of 21.2 (SD = 2.6). There were 77.5% Whites, 6.5% Asians, 3.2% Blacks, and other or missing 12.9%. There were 6.5% Hispanics. Centiloid-MoCA correlation was r = 0.369 (p = 0.0445).
Conclusion: The moderate correlation observed between amyloid burden and cognitive function in AD suggests that amyloid accumulation may contribute to cognitive decline, though other factors are likely involved. This underscores the complexity of the disease and the need for further research to identify additional biomarkers and clinical variables influencing cognitive impairment in AD.
Short Description: This study examined the correlation between cognitive function, assessed by MoCA, and amyloid burden, represented by Centiloid values from PET scans, in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among 47 patients with mild cognitive impairment, 31 were diagnosed with AD. A moderate correlation was found between Centiloid values and MoCA scores, suggesting amyloid accumulation contributes to cognitive decline, though other factors likely play a role. Further research is needed to explore additional influencing factors.
Name of Sponsoring Organization(s): N/A
