Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Cognitive changes affecting performance are subtle in early stages of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and may emerge only with more complex tasks. Driving is a highly challenging instrumental activity of daily living, requiring higher order integration of cognitive skills. For example, driving on freeway entrance ramps requires heightened cognitive engagement such as rapid responses to fast-emerging traffic and sudden speed changes, combining sensory processing and manipulative actions.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: The computerized NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) was designed to assess cognitive functioning across the lifespan. Previous studies demonstrated that NIHTB-CB measures discriminate between healthy controls (HCs), individuals with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and individuals with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT). Scores on NIHTB-CB tasks also correspond with performance on well-validated neuropsychological measures of the same cognitive domains.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Identifying markers for increased risk of cognitive change and early Alzheimer's disease (AD) is key to enhancing the effectiveness of treatments. Changes in instrumental activities of daily living, including the complex task of driving, may serve as potential markers to identify older adults at risk of cognitive decline. This study evaluates driving behaviors and associated physiological signals in older adults with and without elevated brain amyloid burden.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) may include subtle performance changes in complex tasks, such as driving, which could be potential markers for identifying those at risk of cognitive decline. In this study, categorical driving behaviors and events as well as related physiological changes were compared in older adults with and without elevated brain amyloid.

Method: Video and physiological data collected from 21 amyloid positive and 21 amyloid negative participants over the age of 65 (range 65-85), who participated in the University of Michigan's Driving and Physiological Responses study were analyzed.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Older adults diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia are at increased risk of driving impairment. As the prevalence of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's dementia, increases, researching the link between driving behaviors and cognitive decline may aid early identification of at-risk cognitively normal older adults. This study assesses differences in driving behavior following a left hand turn between amyloid positive and negative cognitively normal older adults.