Driver landmark and traffic sign identification in early Alzheimer's disease

Ergun Y. Uc, M. Rizzo, S. W. Anderson, Q. Shi, J. D. Dawson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess visual search and recognition of roadside targets and safety errors during a landmark and traffic sign identification task in drivers with Alzheimer's disease. Methods: 33 drivers with probable Alzheimer's disease of mild severity and 137 neurologically normal older adults underwent a battery of visual and cognitive tests and were asked to report detection of specific landmarks and traffic signs along a segment of an experimental drive. Results: The drivers with mild Alzheimer's disease identified significantly fewer landmarks and traffic signs and made more at-fault safety errors during the task than control subjects. Roadside target identification performance and safety errors were predicted by scores on standardised tests of visual and cognitive function. Conclusions: Drivers with Alzheimer's disease are impaired in a task of visual search and recognition of roadside targets; the demands of these targets on visual perception, attention, executive functions, and memory probably increase the cognitive load, worsening driving safety.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)764-768
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Volume76
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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