Early detection of neuropathologies affecting drivers
Early Detection of Selected Neuropathologies in Motor Vehicle Drivers
This project tests whether simple clinical and motor/cognitive tests can spot early signs of multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease that affect people who drive.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital Olomouc Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Olomouc, Olomouc Region) |
| Trial ID | NCT07360886 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project uses a two-phase, observational design starting with healthy volunteers completing the Vienna Test System (VTS) to establish baseline performance. In the clinical phase, people with diagnosed multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease complete a basic neurological exam (including MoCA, 25-Foot Walk, SDMT, and Nine-Hole Peg Test) followed by VTS testing. Patients are staged with EDSS for MS and Hoehn and Yahr for PD to relate disease severity to test results. The goal is to find which easily accessible clinical tests best correlate with VTS outcomes and to develop a practical risk equation and targeted training approaches to support safe driving.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Drivers aged 18–85 with a confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease who hold a valid driver's license, actively drive, meet the study's diagnostic criteria, have no dementia, and meet the study limits for MS (EDSS ≤ 6.5) and for PD (within the study's Hoehn and Yahr cutoff).
Not a fit: People with dementia, non-drivers, or those with advanced disability (for example MS with EDSS >6.5 or PD above the study's Hoehn and Yahr cutoff) are unlikely to benefit from the screening approach tested here.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, clinicians could use simple bedside tests and a calculator to detect driving-relevant MS or Parkinson's impairments earlier and offer interventions to improve road safety.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked cognitive and motor tests to driving performance, but combining simple clinical bedside tests with Vienna Test System results to create a practical risk calculator is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Person after signing informed consent. * After meeting the valid diagnostic criteria for the given neurological diagnosis. * Possession of a valid driver's license and proof of active driving. * Age limit 18 - 85 years. Exclusion Criteria: * Proven diagnosis of dementia based on a current psychological examination (MMSE 24 points or less). * Diagnosis of a disease or condition that, according to Czech Law. No. 277/2004 Coll., on medical fitness to drive motor vehicles, as amended (especially Law No. 204/2025 Coll.), prevents or significantly limits the ability to drive a motor vehicle safely (e.g. dementia, epilepsy, severe disorders of consciousness). * Age less than 18 years. * Age more than 85 years. * In the second cohort (patients with Multiple Sclerosis), proven and treated relapse in the last 6 weeks before inclusion in the study. * In the MS cohort, current EDSS \> 6.5 points. * For the PD cohort, the current Hoehn and Yahr scale score is greater than or equal to 4. * For both cohorts, evidence of parainfectious deterioration as demonstrated by laboratory testing.
Where this trial is running
Olomouc, Olomouc Region
- University hospital Olomouc — Olomouc, Olomouc Region, Czechia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Dalibor Zimek, M.D.
- Email: Dalibor.Zimek@fnol.cz
- Phone: +420 702 048 036
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.