title: Performance on the flanker task predicts driving cessation in older adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the predictive validity of flanker tasks on driving cessation in older drivers. The flanker task comprises a set of response inhibition tests used to assess the ability to suppress responses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2805 older drivers aged ≥65 years at baseline participated in this study. We conducted several baseline assessments focused on physical and psychological health as well as cognitive performance. Fifteen months after the baseline measurements, we collected information about the current driving status of the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight participants (1.7%) ceased driving during the 15-month period following the assessment. Logistic regression models identified the following as significant predictors of driving cessation: performance on the trail-making test (parts A and B), digit symbol substitution test scores, story memory, and flanker task scores for the total, congruent, and incongruent conditions. The flanker task scores for the total, congruent, and incongruent conditions were significant predictors in the fully adjusted logistic model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The flanker task was more important than assessments of general cognition, including memory, attention, executive control, and processing speed, in predicting driving cessation. The flanker task may be useful for identifying driving cessation in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.affiliation: Institution of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan.
authors.forename: Hyuma
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Makizako
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan.
authors.forename: Takehiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Gerontology, Center for Gerontology and Social Science, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan.
authors.forename: Sangyoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Ōbu, Japan.
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005852:Geriatric Psychiatry / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
keywords: cognitive function; driving cessation; flanker task; older adults; selective attention