What is one limitation of the MoCA?

The MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) is designed to provide a broad overview of cognitive function, covering areas such as memory, attention, language, and executive function. One of its limitations is that it may not detect subtle cognitive decline, particularly in early stages of conditions like mild cognitive impairment or certain forms of dementia. While the MoCA is an effective screening tool, it has a ceiling effect, meaning that individuals with mild or early cognitive dysfunction may score within the normal range, leading to missed diagnoses. Thus, while it is comprehensive, the sensitivity of the MoCA to identify very subtle changes may fall short, emphasizing the need for further assessment or different tools to capture nuanced cognitive impairments accurately. This limitation calls for a combination of assessments to obtain a fuller picture of an individual's cognitive health rather than relying on a single screening tool.