Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Driving issues in patients with frontotemporal dementia

International Conference on Geriatrics & Gerontology

July 08-10, 2014 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago-North Shore Conference Center, USA

Kristina Turk and Elizabeth Dugan

Accepted Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriat Res

Abstract:

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition affecting the frontal and temporal lobes, which control personality, thinking, reasoning, movement, speech/language, and some aspects of memory.FTD accounts for approximately 10% of all cases of diagnosed dementia. Frontotemporal dementia may cause behavioral issues such as antisocial behavior, agitation, irritability, disinhibition, executive dysfunction, and poor social graces. There is a growing body of research on Alzheimer?s disease and driving, but the less common dementias are not well studied. A literature search was undertaken to determine what is known about FTD and driving. A study was included in the literature review if it met the following criteria: published from 1992-2013, published in English, research involving human subjects, included both FTD and driving data. The search strategy included searching the electronic databases: EBSCOhost, PubMed, Google Scholar, Proquest, Web of Knowledge, and Publishing Connect.Search terms included: Frontotemporal dementia and driving, frontotemporal dementia and driving accidents, driving cessation and frontotemporal dementia, frontotemporal dementia and automobile crashes, frontotemporal dementia and crashes, frontotemporal dementia and automobile, frontotemporal dementia and car, and neurodegenerative diseases and driving. Three hundred sixty-six abstracts were reviewed, however only four articles satisfied the inclusion criteria.Results showed that drivers with FTD had more problems than control groups and distinctly different problems than drivers with Alzheimer?s disease, thus fitness to drive should be questioned. Specific driving issues were related to antisocial behaviors common among people with FTD. Some examples included: Hit and run car accidents, running red lights, speeding infractions, and lack of ability to recognize pedestrians at intersections. One policy implication is that mandatory medical reporting for cognitive impairment to the DMV exists in only about 6 states, and it does not adequately address FTD and driving. Consequently, these systems are not prepared to handle FTD. This literature review has identified a major gap in research and the need for research on FTD and driving.

Biography :

Kristina Turk holds a Bachelor?s of Science in Psychology with minors in Sociology & Gerontology from Illinois State University. She holds a Master?s in Gerontology & a Graduate Certificate in Non-profit Management & Leadership from University of Missouri-St. Louis. Miss Turk holds a second Master?s degree in Research Gerontology from University of Massachusetts-Boston and is a third year Gerontology PhD student at UMass-Boston. She?s currently employed by UMass-Boston as a teaching assistant for the classes Applied Research in Aging and Community Service with Elders & recently published her first paper in the American Journal of Alzheimer?s Disease and Other Dementias