title: The neural correlates of driving performance identified using positron emission tomography.
abstract: Driving is a complex behavior involving multiple cognitive domains. To identify neural correlates of driving performance, [15O]H2O positron emission tomography was performed using a simulated driving task. Compared with the resting condition, simulated driving increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the cerebellum, occipital, and parietal cortices. Correlations between rCBF and measurements of driving performance were evaluated during simulated driving. Interestingly, rCBF in the thalamus, midbrain, and cerebellum were positively correlated with time required to complete the course and rCBF in the posterior cingulate gyrus was positively correlated with number of crashes during the task. These brain regions may thus play roles in the maintenance of driving performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horikawa
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Manabu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tashiro
authors.forename: Yumiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakurada
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maruyama
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.forename: Keiichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Hidetada
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Masatoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itoh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000098:blood supply; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D013788:Thalamus / Q000098:blood supply; D013997:Time Factors