Validation of the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Intact Elders

Results provide additional validation of the mTICS as a valuable screening instrument for cognition in individuals with milder cognitive impairments and regression models to predict baseline scores on standardized memory tests using baseline mTics scores.

Abstract

Although the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) is frequently used as a screening measure of cognition in dementia and aging studies, it has not been validated in individuals with milder cognitive impairments. The current study compared 2 groups [amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (n=61) and cognitively intact elders (n=62)] on the mTICS and used regression models to predict baseline scores on standardized memory tests using baseline mTICS scores. Baseline mTICS scores were also used to predict 1-year follow-up scores on memory tests in a subsample (n=91). Large group differences (P<0.01) were found between the amnestic individuals and their healthy peers on the mTICS total score, 2-factor scores, and 3 of 14 individual items. Baseline mTICS scores predicted between 22% and 43% of baseline memory composite scores and 21% and 28% of 1-year memory composite scores. Overall, these results provide additional validation of the mTICS as a valuable screening instrument for cognition in individuals with milder cognitive impairments.