Computerized maze navigation and on-road performance by drivers with dementia. 2008

Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. BOtt@lifespan.org

This study examined the ability of computerized maze test performance to predict the road test performance of cognitively impaired and normal older drivers. The authors examined 133 older drivers, including 65 with probable Alzheimer disease, 23 with possible Alzheimer disease, and 45 control subjects without cognitive impairment. Subjects completed 5 computerized maze tasks employing a touch screen and pointer as well as a battery of standard neuropsychological tests. Parameters measured for mazes included errors, planning time, drawing time, and total time. Within 2 weeks, subjects were examined by a professional driving instructor on a standardized road test modeled after the Washington University Road Test. Road test total score was significantly correlated with total time across the 5 mazes. This maze score was significant for both Alzheimer disease subjects and control subjects. One maze in particular, requiring less than 2 minutes to complete, was highly correlated with driving performance. For the standard neuropsychological tests, highest correlations were seen with Trail Making A (TrailsA) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Tests Trial 1 (HVLT1). Multiple regression models for road test score using stepwise subtraction of maze and neuropsychological test variables revealed significant independent contributions for total maze time, HVLT1, and TrailsA for the entire group; total maze time and HVLT1 for Alzheimer disease subjects; and TrailsA for normal subjects. As a visual analog of driving, a brief computerized test of maze navigation time compares well to standard neuropsychological tests of psychomotor speed, scanning, attention, and working memory as a predictor of driving performance by persons with early Alzheimer disease and normal elders. Measurement of maze task performance appears to be useful in the assessment of older drivers at risk for hazardous driving.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009483 Neuropsychological Tests Tests designed to assess neurological function associated with certain behaviors. They are used in diagnosing brain dysfunction or damage and central nervous system disorders or injury. Aphasia Tests,Cognitive Test,Cognitive Testing,Cognitive Tests,Memory for Designs Test,Neuropsychological Testing,AX-CPT,Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome,CANTAB,Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery,Clock Test,Cognitive Function Scanner,Continuous Performance Task,Controlled Oral Word Association Test,Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System,Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment,Hooper Visual Organization Test,NEPSY,Neuropsychologic Tests,Neuropsychological Test,Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test,Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status,Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure,Symbol Digit Modalities Test,Test of Everyday Attention,Test, Neuropsychological,Tests, Neuropsychological,Tower of London Test,Neuropsychologic Test,Test, Cognitive,Testing, Cognitive,Testing, Neuropsychological,Tests, Cognitive
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D000544 Alzheimer Disease A degenerative disease of the BRAIN characterized by the insidious onset of DEMENTIA. Impairment of MEMORY, judgment, attention span, and problem solving skills are followed by severe APRAXIAS and a global loss of cognitive abilities. The condition primarily occurs after age 60, and is marked pathologically by severe cortical atrophy and the triad of SENILE PLAQUES; NEUROFIBRILLARY TANGLES; and NEUROPIL THREADS. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp1049-57) Acute Confusional Senile Dementia,Alzheimer's Diseases,Dementia, Alzheimer Type,Dementia, Senile,Presenile Alzheimer Dementia,Senile Dementia, Alzheimer Type,Alzheimer Dementia,Alzheimer Disease, Early Onset,Alzheimer Disease, Late Onset,Alzheimer Sclerosis,Alzheimer Syndrome,Alzheimer Type Senile Dementia,Alzheimer's Disease,Alzheimer's Disease, Focal Onset,Alzheimer-Type Dementia (ATD),Dementia, Presenile,Dementia, Primary Senile Degenerative,Early Onset Alzheimer Disease,Familial Alzheimer Disease (FAD),Focal Onset Alzheimer's Disease,Late Onset Alzheimer Disease,Primary Senile Degenerative Dementia,Senile Dementia, Acute Confusional,Alzheimer Dementias,Alzheimer Disease, Familial (FAD),Alzheimer Diseases,Alzheimer Type Dementia,Alzheimer Type Dementia (ATD),Alzheimers Diseases,Dementia, Alzheimer,Dementia, Alzheimer-Type (ATD),Familial Alzheimer Diseases (FAD),Presenile Dementia,Sclerosis, Alzheimer,Senile Dementia
D001334 Automobile Driving The effect of environmental or physiological factors on the driver and driving ability. Included are driving fatigue, and the effect of drugs, disease, and physical disabilities on driving. Automobile Drivings,Driving, Automobile,Drivings, Automobile

Related Publications

Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
November 2011, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
April 2020, The New Zealand medical journal,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
June 1997, Alzheimer disease and associated disorders,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
August 1998, Perceptual and motor skills,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
July 1995, Ergonomics,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
January 2014, The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
March 2023, Canadian journal of occupational therapy. Revue canadienne d'ergotherapie,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
July 2022, Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists),
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
January 2012, Stroke research and treatment,
Brian R Ott, and Elena K Festa, and Melissa M Amick, and Janet Grace, and Jennifer D Davis, and William C Heindel
January 2000, Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.),
Copied contents to your clipboard!