title: Using fMRI virtual-reality technology to predict driving ability after brain damage: a preliminary report.
abstract: The cerebellum, which is important for movement control and planning, is often affected by many neurological conditions. Until now there has been limited information regarding how the function of the cerebellum impacts driving ability. This study used fMRI with an integrated virtual reality driving simulator to determine which aspects of driving performance are related to the cerebellum in healthy drivers (Experiment 1). It also investigated drivers with focal cerebellar lesions to identify how damage to this brain region impairs driving abilities. The results showed that cerebellar functioning is responsible for motor-speed coordination and complex temporal-motor integration necessary to execute driving behaviours. As predicted, drivers with cerebellar damage, showed significantly compromised speed control during basic driving conditions, whereas their ability to perform during interactive driving situations was preserved. New insights into neural mechanisms and brain plasticity regarding driving behaviour are discussed. Strategies in assessing and rehabilitating drivers with related neurological conditions are provided.
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada. Electronic address: yuwen.hung@utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Yuwen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada. Electronic address: avetivelu@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Abeiramey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vetivelu
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Mental Health Studies, University of Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: m.hird@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Megan A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hird
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Biomedical Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: melody.yan@mail.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Meishan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada. Electronic address: fredtam@sri.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.affiliation: Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto M4N 3M5, Canada; Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: sgraham@sri.utoronto.ca.
authors.forename: Simon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Division, University of Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: cusimanom@smh.ca.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cusimano
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Program, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science of St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada; Department of Surgery, Neurosurgery Division, University of Toronto, Canada. Electronic address: SchweizerT@smh.ca.
authors.forename: Tom A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Schweizer
mesh_terms: D001334:Automobile Driving; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000503:physiopathology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D059906:Neuroimaging; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Brain damage; Driving; fMRI