Title of Study: Using functional MRI to evaluate cognitive predictors of driving in mild cognitive
impairment
Location: Ontario
Study Description: This study will use a driving simulator (similar to a driving videogame), a table (a
portable computer), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), which is used to take pictures of
the brain while people are performing various tasks in the MRI. We will compare the brains of
individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to healthy older adults during driving (using the driving
simulator) and during cognitive tests (sing the tablet). We will use cognitive tests that are used in other
riving studies and tests that are used by doctors when patients have cognitive complaints, such as
memory concerns. We will see how much overlap there is in the brain areas sued during driving and
areas used during these cognitive tests.
What will happen during the study?
Participants will be asked to come in for three study sessions, completed on separate days. The first
session will involve a clinical assessment with a geriatric psychiatrist to confirm your eligibility for the
study (day 1: 1 hour). The remaining two sessions will involve an MRI session: (a) driving in the MRI
using our driving simulator (day 2: 1 hour) and (b) completing the cognitive tests in the MRI using our
tablet (day 3: 1 hour). Currently there are not guidelines or tools to help healthcare professionals assess
the driving safety of individuals with MCI. The results of this study will be an important first step in
helping develop accurate tools.
Eligibility: Who Can Participate?
You are eligible to participate in this study if:
1) You are between the ages of 40-90 years
2) Have (a complains of changes in memory and thinking ability (MCI group) or (b) have no history
of memory complains (cognitively healthy group)
3) Have a valid driver’s license
4) Have no history of: neurological diagnosis (e.g. multiple sclerosis, dementia, Parkinson’s disease,
stroke) or psychiatric diagnosis (e.g. bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
Recruitment Start Date: 2017/01/09
Recruitment End Date: 2019/12/31
Contact Information:
Marc Settino
Research Coordinator
St. Michael’s Hospital’
[email protected]