Characterizing Navigational Changes in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: A Route Complexity Metric Derived From Naturalistic Driving Data.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine how early pathophysiological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) affect navigational decision-making by analyzing the complexity of driving routes in older adults with and without preclinical AD.

Methods

We developed a novel route complexity metric based on the number of left and right turns and the deviation from the most direct path, accounting for cognitive load during navigation. Naturalistic GPS driving data were collected for a year from 111 older adults aged 65-85, with preclinical AD status determined via cerebrospinal fluid amyloid biomarkers. A multiple linear regression model was used to assess the relationship between age, preclinical AD status, and route complexity.

Results

The findings of this study indicate that preclinical AD may i

SUBMITTER: Long K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12599902 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature