Driving Habits May offer early Warning Signs of Cognitive Decline
BOSTON, MA – Subtle changes in driving behavior - including reduced frequency, simpler routes, and decreased speeding – could indicate the early stages of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a precursor to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in Neurology. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found their analysis of driving data correctly identified individuals with MCI 82 percent of the time.
The study compared the driving patterns of 203 individuals with MCI to those of 242 cognitively healthy people of similar demographics, with an average age of 75 across all participants. Data was automatically logged by the volunteers’ vehicles over a period of up to 40 months and correlated with results from standard cognitive tests assessing memory, attention, and executive function.
Even after accounting for age, education, and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s, the MCI group exhibited noticeable differences in their driving habits over time. They drove less often, traveled to fewer destinations, and favored simpler routes, while also demonstrating a reduction in speeding.
“Looking at people’s daily driving behavior is a relatively low-burden, unobtrusive way to monitor people’s cognitive skills and ability to function,” said study author Dr. Natasha Babulal.
Researchers acknowledge that some driving changes are typical with age, attributing them to self-regulation. However, they believe the observed patterns hold promise as an early indicator of cognitive decline. The team plans to expand the study to include larger, more diverse populations and incorporate additional data points like vehicle type, geographical location, and other medical conditions.
“This could help identify drivers who are at risk earlier for early intervention, before they have a crash or near-miss, which is often what happens now,” Babulal added, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations regarding autonomy, privacy, and informed decision-making.
