Tau and Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Predict Driving Performance Among Older Adults with and without Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Roe, Catherine M.^{a; b; 1; *} | Babulal, Ganesh M.^{a; b; 1} | Mishra, Shruti^c | Gordon, Brian A.^c | Stout, Sarah H.^{a; b} | Ott, Brian R.^j | Carr, David B.ⁱ | Ances, Beau M.^{b; c} | Morris, John C.^{a; b; e; f; g; h; i; j} | Benzinger, Tammie L.S.^{a; c; d}

Affiliations: [a] Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [b] Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [c] Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [d] Department of Neurological Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [e] Department of Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [f] Department of Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [g] Department of Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [h] Department of Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [i] The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | [j] The Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Center, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Catherine M. Roe, 660S. Euclid Ave., Campus Box 8111, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. E-mail: cathyr@wustl.edu.

Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.

Abstract: Abnormal levels of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, measured by positron emission tomography imaging using amyloid-based radiotracers and cerebrospinal fluid, are associated with impaired driving performance in older adults. We examined whether preclinical AD staging, defined using amyloid imaging and tau imaging using the radiotracer T807 (AKA flortaucipir or AV-1451), was associated with receiving a marginal/fail rating on a standardized road test (n = 42). Participants at Stage 2 (positive amyloid and tau scans) of preclinical AD were more likely to receive a marginal/fail rating compared to participants at Stage 0 or 1. Stage 2 preclinical AD may manifest in worse driving performance.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid, driving performance, imaging, noncognitive outcomes, tau

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170521

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 509-513, 2018