Signs of Future Cognitive Decline Could Be Concealed in Your Driving Decisions

Subtle changes in driving habits could be an early indicator of cognitive decline, suggesting that when and where people choose to drive may reflect future mental health risks. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis discovered that drivers who reduce their travel frequency and stick to familiar routes may benefit from earlier monitoring to prevent accidents.

By combining GPS tracking data with standard memory and cognitive tests, alongside demographic information, the team was able to detect cognitive decline in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with 87% accuracy.

Identifying older drivers at risk of accidents is a public health priority, but it is difficult and time-consuming, explains neurology researcher Ganesh Babulal. GPS data allows for a more precise detection of cognitive issues than age, cognitive tests, or genetic risk factors alone.

Over a 40-month period, the study tracked 56 participants with MCI and compared them to 242 cognitively normal individuals, all averaging 75 years of age. Analysis of automatically recorded driving data showed that those with MCI drove less often, took fewer destinations, preferred simpler routes, and reduced their speed.

Even when accounting for age, education, and Alzheimers-related genetic risk, differences in driving behavior remained pronounced. The driving data alone accurately identified 82% of participants with MCI, highlighting its potential as a low-burden and unobtrusive monitoring tool.

Driving requires substantial brainpower and coordination, making it sensitive to early cognitive changes, says Babulal. Monitoring everyday driving could provide valuable insights into functional abilities before serious incidents occur.

The researchers plan to expand the study to larger and more diverse populations, incorporating factors such as vehicle type, geographic location, and other health conditions, to refine early detection and intervention strategies.

The full findings have been published in Neurology.

Author: Chloe Ramirez