Medical Health Encyclopedia

Neurocognitive testing


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Overview Results Risks Prevention
Alternative Names

Mental status exam; Mental status tests


Normal Values

The most commonly used test, the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) or Folstein test, is scored from 0 to 30. The test is also divided up into sections, each one with its own smaller score. These results may help show which part of someone's thinking and memory may be affected.


What abnormal results mean

A number of conditions or problems can affect mental status:

  • Alcohol intoxication
  • Certain drugs and medications
  • Encephalopathy, either chronic or acute
  • Head trauma or concussion
  • Many psychiatric conditions
  • Many neurologic conditions
  • Withdrawal from narcotics and barbiturates

See the following for a complete list of causes and treatments:



Review Date: 03/09/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




Find a Therapist
PR Newswire