ABSTRACT
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Mini-Cog, which is an objective, clinician-administered test, developed to identify people in the general population with cognitive impairment. Development of the Mini-Cog had its origins in a brief, freehand version of the clock-drawing task, with simple scoring procedures based on criteria used by the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease. In clinical settings, however, sensitivity of the Mini-Cog is very good and it was identified in a systematic review as one of the best measures for routine use in general practice. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.
