Driving Safety for Older Adults with Alzheimer's and Related Dementias
The risks and consequences of a motor vehicle crash in older adults with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
This project looks at how driving risks change for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and what happens to their health after a car crash.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11134521 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a large collection of existing information, combining Medicare health records with driving records, crash reports, and traffic tickets for over 1.5 million older drivers. We want to understand how the risk of a car crash changes as Alzheimer's disease progresses, even in its early stages like mild cognitive impairment. We also aim to see how a crash might affect a person's health, their need for healthcare, and their need for long-term care assistance. This helps us learn more about driving safety for those living with dementia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on older adults who have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, including those with mild cognitive impairment, and their driving experiences.
Not a fit: Patients who do not drive or do not have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help families and doctors make better decisions about driving safety for individuals with Alzheimer's and related dementias, potentially preventing crashes and improving patient well-being.
How similar studies have performed: While some research exists on dementia and driving, this project uses a unique, large-scale dataset to provide long-term insights not previously available.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joyce, Nina — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Joyce, Nina
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.