Predicting mild cognitive impairment from simulated driving performance: A preliminary investigation
- 1Department of Health and Exercise Science Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
- 2Health Medical Group Neurology University of Colorado Health Fort Collins Colorado USA
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine whether simulated driving performance in challenging environmental conditions can predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
METHODS: MCI (n = 37) and control (n = 42) participants completed a simulated driving scenario with two challenging sections involving inclement weather and navigating an unfamiliar environment. Speed and steering outcomes were assessed.
RESULTS: The inclement weather logistic regression model distinguished cognitive status with more than 75% accuracy. However, the route planning model was unable to significantly distinguish individuals based on cognitive status. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses revealed a significant area under the curve (AUC) for the inclement weather model, with an optimal cutoff yielding 78.4% apparent sensitivity.
DISCUSSION: The present findings highlight the potential value of simulated driving in challenging conditions as sensitive functional markers of early cognitive impairment. These preliminary findings provide the foundation for naturalistic and longitudinal studies to establish whether driving assessments can meaningfully capture functional changes associated with the onset of cognitive impairment.
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- Joint modeling approaches for predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review (1999-2025).
BibTeX
@article{delmas2026predicting,
title = {{Predicting mild cognitive impairment from simulated driving performance: A preliminary investigation}},
author = {Stefan Delmas and Anjali Tiwari and Joy DeJong Lago and Neha Lodha},
journal = {Alzheimer's \& Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment \& Disease Monitoring},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/dad2.70514},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70514},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Predicting mild cognitive impairment from simulated driving performance: A preliminary investigation
AU - Stefan Delmas
AU - Anjali Tiwari
AU - Joy DeJong Lago
AU - Neha Lodha
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/02
JO - Alzheimer's & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring
DO - 10.1002/dad2.70514
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.70514
AB - INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine whether simulated driving performance in challenging environmental conditions can predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: MCI (n = 37) and control (n = 42) participants completed a simulated driving scenario with two challenging sections involving inclement weather and navigating an unfamiliar environment. Speed and steering outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The inclement weather logistic regression model distinguished cognitive status with more than 75% accuracy. However, the route planning model was unable to significantly distinguish individuals based on cognitive status. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses revealed a significant area under the curve (AUC) for the inclement weather model, with an optimal cutoff yielding 78.4% apparent sensitivity. DISCUSSION: The present findings highlight the potential value of simulated driving in challenging conditions as sensitive functional markers of early cognitive impairment. These preliminary findings provide the foundation for naturalistic and longitudinal studies to establish whether driving assessments can meaningfully capture functional changes associated with the onset of cognitive impairment.
SN - 2352-8729
ER -