Change in driving habits may be an early sign of dementia, research shows

Subtle shifts in driving habits may serve as early indicators of cognitive decline and an increased risk of dementia, according to new research. Scientists have found a connection between changes behind the wheel and underlying brain health.

Early Warning Signs on the Road

The research, which followed 220 motorists with an average age of 73 in St. Louis, Missouri, over a nine-year period—from 2016 to 2024—revealed that greater white matter damage in the brain correlated with decreased driving, fewer trips, and a tendency to stick to familiar routes. Participants also exhibited more motoring errors.

Did You Know? Participants were monitored for continuous in-vehicle driving metrics, including trip frequency, distance, destination, speeding, collisions, hard braking, and hard cornering.

The Impact of Blood Pressure Medication

Interestingly, the study also found a protective effect associated with blood pressure medication. Adults ages 65 and older taking blood pressure tablets, particularly ACE inhibitors, were less likely to display risky driving behaviors, even when brain scans revealed evidence of damage.

Professor Chia-Ling Phuah, of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, explained that driving habits can reveal early changes in brain health. She noted that variations in routes, frequency of driving, and overall driving patterns may signal damage to the brain’s white matter, which is linked to cognitive decline, and dementia.

Expert Insight: These findings suggest that even subtle alterations in daily driving routines could provide valuable clues about brain changes, potentially before the onset of traditional memory and thinking symptoms.

Study Details and Future Implications

Researchers analyzed data from MRI brain scans and annual clinical and cognitive assessments. Among the 17% of participants who developed cognitive impairment, those with higher levels of white matter hyperintensities demonstrated a greater likelihood of unsafe driving practices, such as hard braking, and experienced more crashes.

Participants with white matter hyperintensities in the back of the brain—the region responsible for processing visual information and movement—were at an even higher risk of crashes. Professor Phuah suggests that monitoring driving behavior with in-vehicle data loggers could help identify older drivers at risk for unsafe driving, loss of independence, and early cognitive problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the study measure in terms of driving habits?

The study monitored trip frequency, distance, destination, speeding, collisions, hard braking, and hard cornering.

What was the average age of the participants in the study?

The average age of the 220 motorists who participated in the study was 73.

Did any medications appear to have a positive effect on driving safety?

Participants taking blood pressure medications, especially ACE inhibitors, were less likely to exhibit risky driving habits, even with brain damage.

Could routine monitoring of driving patterns become a non-invasive way to identify individuals at risk for cognitive decline?