Authors: Ott, Brian R; Daiello, Lori A

Source: Aging Health, Volume 6, Number 1, February 2010 , pp. 77-85(9)

Publisher: Future Medicine

Abstract:

Driving is a complex activity that always becomes impaired at some point in older adults with degenerative dementia. Over time, disruption of the visual processing circuits of the brain that link the occipital and prefrontal regions, particularly in the right hemisphere, leads to increasing degrees of driving impairment that ultimately preclude safe driving. Neuropsychological tests of visuospatial ability, executive function and attention that tap into the integrity of these brain regions provide the clinician with important information regarding the need for a formal determination of driving competence. Enhancement of cognitive function in these domains through antidementia therapy and exercise may partially mitigate risk; however, all drivers with dementia must ultimately retire from driving when dementia becomes moderately severe, and often in earlier stages of the illness. Future efforts to improve screening tests for hazardous driving and to develop interventions to help prolong the time that drivers with mild dementia can continue to drive safely are needed for our increasingly aged and mobile population.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognition; dementia; driving; perception

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2217/ahe.09.83

Affiliations: 1: Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, RI, USA and The Alzheimer's Disease & Memory Disorders Center, Rhode Island Hospital, RI, USA., Email: bott@lifespan.org

Publication date: 2010-02-01

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• Aging Health leading coverage of current and emerging topics relating to the safe and effective management of therapy in the elderly, all subject to rigorous peer review. The journal focuses on the most important advances and highlights their relevance in the clinical setting. The journal has been designed to deliver essential concise information in an easily assimilable format - vital for the increasingly time-constrained professional.
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