A groundbreaking study is to look at the impact of dementia on the ability to drive.
The research will analyse how neurodegenerative disease and healthy ageing can influence driving behaviour, in the first study of its kind.
The study, by the University of East Anglia, will focus on 50 car drivers to investigate the impact of their condition on driving, as well as other factors that may be of significance, such as the local environment and navigation.
Researchers are currently recruiting participants who are over 65 and ideally from the East of England, and who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, vascular cognitive impairment, or any form of clinical dementia.
Dementia expert Professor Michael Hornberger, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We know that when people have dementia or mild cognitive impairment, mental changes such as spatial disorientation can occur – and this can affect driving ability.
“But there is currently a lack of knowledge about these changes.
“We want to investigate the changes that take place in thinking as we age, and better understand how these changes affect driving performance.
“Understanding the effects of neurodegenerative diseases on real-world driving is crucial for developing better strategies to ensure road safety for older people.”
People taking part will be asked to complete a short memory and thinking test, and if selected, an MRI will be taken of their brain, along with measurements of height, weight and blood pressure.
Participants will also be asked to take part in a range of virtual reality navigation tasks on a computer.
They will also have a GPS monitor fitted to their car to record location data that will help the team study driving behaviour such as harsh braking and steering.
Participants must be over 65, hold a valid UK driving licence and currently drive at least once a week. People located outside the region can also contact the team to discuss potential participation.
Prof Hornberger said: “The measurements that we are carrying out are for research purposes only and so we can’t determine whether someone is fit to drive.
“However, if we are concerned about someone’s physical or mental wellbeing we would contact their GP.
“Anyone who is worried about their fitness to drive should discuss this with their GP directly.”
For more information about taking part, contact sensor.study@uea.ac.uk
