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The objective of the study was to develop and validate a translated and culturally adapted Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for the Persian-speaking population. The MMSE was translated into Persian. Two groups of neurologically intact subjects (n= 100) and subjects with Alzheimer's disease (n= 13) were studied. The difference between groups on the mean total scores of the Persian MMSE was statistically significant (control= 28.62+/-2.09; subjects with Alzheimer's disease= 11.77+/-5.66; p<. 001). The cutoff score of 23 was the best cutoff score for our subjects with a sensitivity and specificity of 98% and 100%, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the Persian MMSE score and the level of education (r=. 46) and with age (r=-. 77). There was no significant correlation between the Persian MMSE and gender. The Persian MMSE was found to be valid for discrimination of cognitive impairment in the Persian-speaking community.