Data & Instruments

Instruments

The various instruments collect data that give researchers access to the information they need for their clinical studies. Here are the definitions of the main instruments:

Epidemiology

Epidemiology studies the distribution, determinants and risk factors of diseases, disorders or health events in defined populations. The instruments are used to collect information on the living environment, daily activities and family history.

Neuropsychology

Neuropsychology studies the relationship between brain function and behavior, emotions and cognitive processes (such as memory, attention, language or decision-making).

MDS-UPDRS

The MDS-UPDRS (Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale) is a standardized rating scale used to measure the severity and progression of Parkinson’s disease.

Structure:

Part I: Non-motor experiences of daily life (13 items, including aspects such as mood, fatigue, pain).
Part II: Motor experiences of daily life (13 items, assessing activities such as dressing, walking and eating).
Part III: Motor examination (33 items, examining rigidity, tremors, bradykinesia, etc.).
Part IV: Motor complications (6 items, covering dyskinesias and motor fluctuations).

MoCA

The MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) is a rapid cognitive assessment tool designed to detect Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and the early stages of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The MoCA is particularly sensitive for identifying subtle cognitive deficits that might not be detected by other tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Key features :
Structure: The test comprises 30 items, divided into 8 cognitive domains: attention/concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuo-spatial abilities, conceptualization/abstraction, calculation, and orientation.
Score: A total score below 26/30 suggests mild cognitive impairment or dementia, although the threshold may vary according to context (age, level of education).
Objective: Identify early cognitive disorders, guide differential diagnosis, and monitor the evolution of cognitive functions.
Accessibility: Available in several languages and adapted versions (e.g. for the visually impaired or illiterate), with score adjustment for education level (+1 point if ≤12 years of education).

Clinical

A clinical questionnaire is a standardized tool used in medicine, psychology, neuropsychology or public health to gather information about a patient’s symptoms, behaviors, medical history or functional status. It can be administered by a clinician, self-completed by the patient, or completed by a caregiver, and is used to diagnose, assess severity, monitor the evolution of a condition, or guide treatment.

Medication