Regional frontal gray matter volume associated with executive function capacity as a risk factor for vehicle crashes in normal aging adults.

Sakai, Hiroyuki; Takahara, Miwa; Honjo, Naomi F; Doi, Shun'ichi; Sadato, Norihiro; Uchiyama, Yuji · 2012 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045920

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Summary

This study investigates the neural basis of executive function capacity in normal aging adults, specifically examining whether regional frontal gray matter volume serves as a predictor for vehicle crash risk. While low executive functioning is a known risk factor for accidents among elderly drivers, the structural brain correlates of individual differences in this cognitive ability remain poorly understood. The authors aimed to identify specific frontal lobe regions associated with executive function and to determine if these structural variations correlate with risky driving behaviors. The research involved 39 community-dwelling elderly volunteers (aged 65–76) who drove daily and met strict neurological screening criteria, including normal Mini-Mental State Examination scores and no significant brain atrophy. Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and completed two questionnaires: the Effortful Control Scale (ECS) to assess executive function capacity and the Driving Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) to evaluate risky driving tendencies, categorized as violations, errors, and lapses. The researchers employed voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze gray matter volume in the frontal lobe, controlling for age and gender, to identify correlations with ECS scores and DBQ subscales. The results demonstrated that participants with lower executive function capacity, as measured by the ECS, exhibited significantly higher tendencies toward risky driving, particularly regarding errors and lapses. VBM analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between executive function capacity and gray matter volume in the supplementary motor area (SMA). Specifically, lower ECS scores were associated with smaller SMA volume. However, no significant correlations were found between gray matter volume and the DBQ scores directly, even after adjusting for multiple comparisons. The authors noted that while SMA volume predicted executive function capacity, the direct link to self-reported risky driving was not statistically significant, likely because crash risk is influenced by multiple perceptual and physical factors beyond executive function alone. The study concludes that SMA volume is a reliable predictor of individual differences in executive function capacity, which is a known risk factor for vehicle crashes in the elderly. These findings suggest that regional frontal gray matter volume underlies variations in driving tendencies among older adults. The authors imply that detailed assessments of driving behavior and executive function could potentially detect early neurodegenerative changes in the frontal lobe, offering a pathway for identifying high-risk elderly drivers before accidents occur. This work highlights the SMA’s critical role in the selection and execution of appropriate actions, linking structural brain integrity to cognitive performance in daily life.

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Topics

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• cognitive capacity variation
• cognitive impairment