Cortical function assessment in the elderly.

The Cortical Function Assessment (CFA) is a 10-point test developed to overcome the limitations of current bedside mental status exams which emphasize orientation and memory. Items measure higher cortical function, such as naming, writing, drawing, and stereognosis. The test was given to young and old normal subjects, young and old depressive patients, and patients with dementia. Interrater reliability was high (alpha = .95) as was the correlation between it and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (r = .87) and the Mini-Mental State (r = .92). The study demonstrates the utility of the CFA as a screening tool in dementia and depression in the elderly and suggests its use in routine geriatric evaluations.