Cognitive Function Evaluation by Mini-Mental State Examination-Korea in Essential Blepharospasm

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated cognitive functions of Korean patients with essential blepharospasm by the Mini Mental State Examination - Korea (MMSE-K). METHODS: Atotal of 33 patients diagnosedwith essential blepharospasm were evaluated. Using the K-MMSEcognitive functions such as orientation, registration and recall, attention and calculation, language, comprehension, and decision were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients were alert and orientedwith an average K-MMSEscore of 25.2 +/- 4.0 points. The normal group scores were above 24 points in 25 patients (75%), suspected dementia scores were from 20 to 23 points in 5 patients (15%), and definite dementia scores were from 15 to 19 points in 3 patients (9%). Neurologic and brain imaging evaluation was performed in the 8 patients with suspected dementia or definite dementia. Among these patients, 2 were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 2 were shown to have a specific brain lesion on magnetic resonance imaging, and 1 was diagnosed with a stroke and treated with antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The K-MMSE can be a helpful tool for the early detection of cognitive dysfunction in outpatients with essential blepharospasm.