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Department of Neurology

Houston, Texas

BCM neurologists see patients through the Baylor Clinic and some of the world's leading specialty clinics.
Department of Neurology
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Baylor Profound Mental Status Examination (BPMSE)

Clinical Programs > ADMDC > Clinical Research >

The BPMSE is a brief but comprehensive structured assessment designed and validated for use in patients with severe AD (MMSE scores of 10 or less) (Doody et al., Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 1999;13:53-9). It can be performed during 5-10 minutes of direct interaction with the patient and without the use of any special test materials or input from a caregiver. The instrument is divided into brief cognitive, behavioral, communication, and social interaction sections. The cognitive section is scored from 0-25 with higher scores indicating better function. It assesses orientation, naming, comprehension, repetition, attention, and psychomotor skills by specific questions scaled down to the expectations for severely affected patients. The behavior section scores 10 behaviors as being present or absent (e.g., unkempt, psychomotor slowing, anxious, agitated), and the communication and social interaction sections ask for a brief description of ability using specific prompts (similar to a CIBIC) which is recorded directly on the form. There is no score at baseline, but there is a 7-point Likert scale to indicate degrees of change in these areas at subsequent assessments. The items and observations used in the instrument are all highly relevant to the clinic situation for outpatients or inpatients with AD.