Study: Tests Best Way to Determine if Alzheimer Patients Should Drive

Putting Alzheimer's patients behind the wheel is the best way to determine whether they should stop driving, according to an analysis reported in the January issue of Neuropsychology.

Mark Reger, of the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System and University of Washington School of Medicine, and his colleagues came to this conclusion after reviewing studies on the subject.

The researchers found that off-road simulator and on-road driving evaluations both proved to be superior to reports from caregivers in revealing significant relationships between neuropsychological functioning and driving ability in such patients.

The researchers believe their findings could help clinicians and government agencies develop the right tools to keep drivers and everyone else on the road safe since people with dementia have an increased risk for automobile crashes and becoming lost while driving.

The researchers analyzed 27 primary studies published between 1988 and 2003 that examined the relationship between neuropsychological functioning and driving ability for drivers with dementia.

Other sources: American Psychological Association