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. 2022 Aug;12(8):e2710.
doi: 10.1002/brb3.2710. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Global Examination of Mental State: An open tool for the brief evaluation of cognition

Sara Mondini  1   2 , Sonia Montemurro  3 , Veronica Pucci  1   2 , Adele Ravelli  1 , Matteo Signorini  4 , Giorgio Arcara  3
Affiliations

Global Examination of Mental State: An open tool for the brief evaluation of cognition

Sara Mondini et al. Brain Behav. 2022 Aug.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this paper is to present a freely accessible new instrument for the evaluation of cognition: the Global Examination of Mental State (GEMS).

Methods: It is made up of 11 items tapping into a range of skills, such as Orientation in time and space, Memory, Working memory, Visuo-spatial, Visuo-constructional and Planning abilities, Perceptual and visual Attention, Language (Naming, Comprehension, and Verbal fluency), and Pragmatics.

Results: The psychometric strengths of this screening are: (1) extensive and updated normative data on the adult Italian population (from 18 to 100 years old); (2) absence of ceiling effect in healthy individuals, which allows to better detect interindividual variability; (3) comparison of the global scores with normative data taking into account Cognitive Reserve rather than only education, thus increasing diagnostic accuracy; (4) thresholds for significant change over time and the possibility to use parallel versions (GEMS-A/GEMS-B) for test-retest; (5) solid psychometric properties and data on discriminant validity; and (6) free access to all materials (record forms, instructions, and cut-off scores) on the web under a Creative Common License.

Conclusions: With all these characteristics, GEMS could be a very useful paper-and-pencil instrument for cognitive screening.

Keywords: cognitive screening; neuropsychology; open tool; psychometric properties.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
The figure describes the data collection design of GEMS. Blocks on the right part of the figure are the data collected at T0, while blocks on the right side are data collected at T1 (1–3 months after T0). The label in each block refers to the test/questionnaire administered. The number above each test indicates the number of participants data were collected from
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Effect of age, education, and cognitive reserve on GEMS scores. Age, education, and CRI are reported on the x‐axis, and GEMS scores are reported on the y‐axis. Quadratic terms of age, education, and CRI are included into the regression models
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
ROC curve for GEMS scores in discriminating between healthy participants and patients with Parkinson's disease
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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