Assessing driving safety in young adults after a concussion
Official title: Longitudinal Assessment of Post-concussion Driving in Young Adults (LAPDYA)
Funded at University of Georgia · NIH-11111363 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how concussions impact the driving skills of young adults and aims to find out when it's safe for them to get back on the road, using driving tests in both simulations and real-life situations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Georgia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Athens, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $367,314 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131273-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111363 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults who have recently experienced a concussion.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not suffered a concussion or those with chronic neurological conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how concussions affect driving abilities in young adults over time. It aims to identify when it is safe for individuals who have suffered a concussion to return to driving by comparing their driving performance with that of healthy individuals at various time points after the injury. The study will utilize both simulated driving tests and real-world driving assessments to gather comprehensive data on driving impairment following a concussion. By understanding the timeline of recovery and the factors that predict safe driving, the research seeks to provide evidence-based recommendations for returning to driving post-injury.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for when concussed individuals can safely resume driving, enhancing road safety for all.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that understanding cognitive and motor impairments post-concussion can lead to better safety recommendations, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Georgia
Athens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Julianne D — University of Georgia
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Julianne D
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.