The neural correlates of driving performance identified using positron emission tomography.
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.
Horikawa
Etsuo
E
Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan.
Okamura
Nobuyuki
N
Tashiro
Manabu
M
Sakurada
Yumiko
Y
Maruyama
Masahiro
M
Arai
Hiroyuki
H
Yamaguchi
Keiichiro
K
Sasaki
Hidetada
H
Yanai
Kazuhiko
K
Itoh
Masatoshi
M
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