Driving behavior as a marker for Alzheimer's disease
Naturalistic driving as a functional neurobehavioral marker of preclinical and symptomatic Alzheimer disease
This study is looking at how your driving habits might help spot early signs of Alzheimer's in older adults, so we can find ways to keep everyone safe on the road before any serious symptoms show up.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10839874 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how everyday driving behavior can indicate the risk of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. By using an in-vehicle datalogger, the study aims to continuously monitor driving patterns and correlate them with neurobiological markers of Alzheimer's, such as amyloid and tau levels. The goal is to identify individuals at risk of driving decline before symptoms of dementia appear, allowing for timely interventions to enhance safety and prevent accidents. The research focuses on older adults, a demographic increasingly affected by cognitive decline.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are cognitively normal but may be at risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: Patients who are already diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's disease or severe cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease earlier, potentially preventing accidents and improving safety for older drivers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using driving behavior as an indicator of cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babulal, Ganesh M — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Babulal, Ganesh M
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 below.