Baseline Differences in Driving Frequency as a Predictor of Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: To extend prior research by examining daily driving frequency as a predictor of cognitive decline and later diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS: 1,426 older adults completed batteries of questionnaires and neuropsychological tests at baseline and yearly follow-ups (M = 6.8, SD = 4.9). Linear mixed effects models were estimated to examine whether daily driving frequency at baseline was predictive of cognitive decline while accounting for IADLs, mobility, depression, and demographics. Cox regression was used to examine driving frequency as a predictor of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

RESULTS: Less daily driving frequency was associated with greater decline in all cognitive domains over time except for working memory. Although driving frequency was associated with these changes in cognition, it did not uniquely predict the development of Alzheimer's disease when accounting for other factors (eg, other IADLs).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend prior research linking driving cessation to greater levels of cognitive decline. Future work might benefit from examining the utility of driving habits (especially changes in driving) as measures of everyday functioning in older adult evaluations.