Citation

Horikawa E, Okamura N, Tashiro M, Sakurada Y, Maruyama M, Arai H, Yamaguchi K, Sasaki H, Yanai K, Itoh M. Brain Cogn. 2005; 58(2): 166-171.

Affiliation

Department of Geriatric and Respiratory Medicine, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan; Center for Comprehensive Community Medicine, Saga Medical School, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.bandc.2004.10.002

PMID

15919547

Abstract

Driving is a complex behavior involving multiple cognitive domains. To identify neural correlates of driving performance, [(15)O]H(2)O positron emission tomography was performed using a simulated driving task. Compared with the resting condition, simulated driving increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the cerebellum, occipital, and parietal cortices. Correlations between rCBF and measurements of driving performance were evaluated during simulated driving. Interestingly, rCBF in the thalamus, midbrain, and cerebellum were positively correlated with time required to complete the course and rCBF in the posterior cingulate gyrus was positively correlated with number of crashes during the task. These brain regions may thus play roles in the maintenance of driving performance.