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P2‐259: A FUNDAMENTAL STUDY ON DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT OR PRIMARY DEMENTIA DRIVERS
Author(s) -
Suzuki Mio,
Hiratsuka Masayuki
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.948
Subject(s) - dementia , cognition , test (biology) , population , psychology , cognitive impairment , gerontology , medicine , audiology , disease , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychiatry , environmental health , paleontology , biology
Background: The population aging rate has been very high, and the rate of older adults’ fatality during driving has increased in Japan. In 2017, the Traffic Act was revised, and older adult drivers who occurred accidents have to take a simple test of cognitive function. After that, they have to return their driver license if they were diagnosed dementia. But there is no regulation or additional examination for non-dementia older adult drivers. Moreover, there is no clear relationship between dementia and driving skills. Methods: We conducted a driving experiment for dementia (n1⁄42), mild cognitive impairment (n1⁄412), and normal (n1⁄429) drivers over 65 years old, and compared their driving skills. We observed driving characteristics on a training course, a car driving school. The evaluation of cognitive functions was also conducted by 2 kinds of screening test which were simplified Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale. After that, we analyzed the relationship among scores of screening tests, their driving customs (get by interview) and driving behavior. Results: Driving behavior of intersections or parking were not different significantly, and the almost all older adult drivers couldn’t behave safely. Most of them didn’t stop and confirm the environment at intersections. On the other hand, the one of lane change and obstacle avoidance on midblocks was different between MCI and normal drivers significantly, and the MCI drivers tended to change the lane without turning on their blinkers (t1⁄42.48). But the score of screening test was not directly related to their driving behavior. Conclusions: Dementia or MCI partially affected to driving behavior but insufficient to evaluate safe driving. We need to observe more detailed relationship between cognitive function and driving, and consider a new screening test during driving.