The Alzheimer’s disease, it is a real scourge. In France, there are 850,000 patients (the equivalent of the city of Marseille) and 3 million people concerned – relatives, entourage, caregivers … In 2020, the France Alzheimer association even estimates that 1 more French person 65 out of 4 years will be affected by this neurodegenerative pathology, ie 1,275,000 patients.
Researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital (in Canada) asked themselves a question of public utility: can we still drive when one suffers from Alzheimer’s disease? To find out more, they compiled the results of 32 international studies: cognitive tests, as well as road and car simulator tests conducted with patients with the disease.
The risk of accident would be multiplied by 10
Verdict? Patients who have not passed stage 3 of the disease (which corresponds to a “cognitive decline mild “) had driving test failure rates of about 13%, compared to an average of 1.3% for healthy subjects.
In contrast, 46% of patients (regardless of the stage of the disease) passed the test. “We estimate that Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk of having an road accident“explain the researchers, who published their work in the scientific journal Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
“The act of driving mobilizes certain areas of the brain linked to attention, cognitive abilities and spatial orientation. If any of these functions are damaged, the driver (and his passengers!) Are no longer in control. security “they add.
However, “giving up driving is often experienced as a very important loss. Be understanding during this difficult period, because the former driver can find himself depressed, but also feel furious” advises the France Alzheimer association. And to add: “The incidence of the disease on the capacity to drive must be mentioned in the various medical consultations and the point on this subject must be made regularly with the sick person.”
