Scientific Publications Database

Article Title: Rating Scales for Cognition in Huntington's Disease: Critique and Recommendations
Authors: Mestre, Tiago A.; Bachoud-Levi, Anne-Catherine; Marinus, Johan; Stout, Julie C.; Paulsen, Jane S.; Como, Peter; Duff, Kevin; Sampaio, Cristina; Goetz, Christopher G.; Cubo, Esther; Stebbins, Glenn T.; Martinez-Martin, Pablo
Journal: MOVEMENT DISORDERS Volume 33 Issue 2
Date of Publication:2018
Abstract:
Cognitive impairment is one of the main features of Huntington's disease and is present across the disease spectrum. As part of the International Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Society-sponsored project to review all clinical rating scales used in Huntington's disease, a systematic review of the literature was performed to identify cognitive scales used in Huntington's disease and make recommendations for their use. A total of 17 cognitive scales were identified and evaluated. None of the scales met criteria for a recommended status. For assessing severity of cognitive dysfunction, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was recommended with caveats. The UHDRS Cognitive Assessment, the UHDRS-For Advanced Patients cognitive section, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, the Frontal Assessment Battery, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status were suggested for evaluating severity of cognitive impairment. The MoCA was suggested as a screening tool for cognitive impairment. The major challenge in the assessment of cognition in Huntington's disease is the lack of a formal definition of dementia and/or mild cognitive impairment in this disease. The committee concluded that there is a need to further validate currently available cognitive scales in Huntington's disease, but that it is premature to recommend the development of new scales. Recently developed Huntington's disease-specific scales, such as the Huntington's Disease-Cognitive Assessment Battery, hold promise but require the completion of more comprehensive clinimetric development. (c) 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.