Introduction

In keeping with the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health distinction between global mental functions versus specific mental functions, those instruments that examine multiple areas of cognitive functioning are described in this chapter. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 4th ed. presents criteria for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as vascular dementia. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et 1’Enseignement en Neurosciences have published specific criteria for vascular dementia. Consensus criteria for the more recently described diagnostic category, mild cognitive impairment, are also available. Developers of such screening tools readily acknowledge their limitations; specifically, that they “cannot be substituted for diagnostic evaluation based on multiple sources of information and thoughtful clinical judgement”. A common focus of cognitive screening tests is the identification/diagnosis of people with cognitive impairment, and for this purpose cut-off scores or normative data are required.