Cognitive impairment and driving: a nationwide study in people with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis

People living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are affected by many cognitive impairments, among them is driving. Limited data exists on type and frequency of car accidents associated with these neurodegenerative disorders.
A retrospective study assessed 1,491 drivers (n=199 with PD; n=385 with MS; n=907 controls with ulcerative colitis [UC]) with a prior history of car accidents. Findings indicate that people with PD were more likely to have a car accident within a shorter duration after diagnosis than people with MS and UC (P<0.001).
According to the authors, physicians need to focus on improving cognitive skills such as fitness associated with driving, soon after diagnosis in people with living PD.