Abstract

Purpose: Older adults experience impaired driving performance, and modify their driving habits, including limiting amount and spatial extent of travel. Alzheimer disease (AD)-related pathology, as well as spatial navigation difficulties, may influence driving performance and driving behaviors in clinically normal older adults. We examined whether AD biomarkers [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of Aβ 42, tau, and ptau 181 ] were associated with lower self-reported spatial navigation abilities, and whether navigation abilities mediated the relationship of AD biomarkers with driving performance and extent. Methods: Clinically normal older adults (n=112; aged 65+) completed an on-road driving test, the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction scale (self-report measure of spatial navigation ability), and the Driving Habits Questionnaire for an estimate of driving extent (composite of driving exposure and driving space). All participants had a lumbar puncture to obtain CSF. Results: CSF Aβ 42, but not tau or ptau 181, was associated with self-reported navigation ability. Lower self-reported navigation was associated with reduced driving extent, but not driving errors. Self-reported navigation mediated the relationship between CSF Aβ 42 and driving extent. Conclusions: Findings suggest that cerebral amyloid deposition is associated with lower perceived ability to navigate the environment, which may lead older adults with AD pathology to limit their driving extent.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)101-106
Number of pages6
JournalAlzheimer disease and associated disorders
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Keywords

  • amyloid deposition
  • driving space
  • on-road driving test
  • preclinical Alzheimer disease

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Alzheimer Disease Biomarkers and Driving in Clinically Normal Older Adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this