Differences between professional and non-professional drivers with cognitive disorders.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Transportation Safety

Background:

• Cognitive disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), can significantly impact driving abilities.
• Previous professional driving experience may influence how individuals with cognitive impairments adapt their driving behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the driving habits of individuals with cognitive disorders and previous professional driving experience versus those without.
• To identify specific driving behaviors that differ between professional and non-professional drivers with AD and MCI.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 153 drivers, including those with AD, MCI, and healthy controls, completed an extensive driving questionnaire.
• A subset of 62 drivers (31 professional, 31 non-professional) matched for diagnosis, age, and education, completed a short driving questionnaire.
• Diagnosis of AD and MCI were based on established clinical criteria (NINCDS-ARDRA and Petersen/Winblad, respectively).

Main Results:

• Non-professional drivers with AD were more likely to have not renewed their licenses compared to professional drivers (p=0.048).
• Non-professional drivers with MCI traveled fewer kilometers (p=0.029) and avoided unfamiliar areas more often than professionals (p=0.045).
• Healthy non-professional drivers significantly avoided difficult intersections more than professional drivers (p=0.001).

Conclusions:

• Previous professional driving experience appears to be associated with better driving performance and adaptation in individuals with cognitive disorders.
• Professional drivers with cognitive impairments may retain more effective driving strategies compared to their non-professional counterparts.
• Findings suggest that professional driving background could be a protective factor in maintaining driving safety among older adults with cognitive decline.