Clinical Predictors of Driving Status in Huntington’s Disease

This study attempts to identify the motor, cognitive, and behavioral determinants of driving status and risk factors for driving cessation in Huntington's disease (HD). Seventy-four patients with HD were evaluated for cognitive, motor, psychiatric, and functional status using a standardized battery (Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale [UHDRS] and supplemental neuropsychological testing). Patients were categorized into two driving status categories: (1) “currently driving” included those driving and those driving but with clinician recommendation to restrict, and (2) “not driving” included those with clinician recommendation to cease driving and those not currently driving because of HD. Multi- and univariate logistic regression was used to identify significant clinical predictors of those driving versus not driving. Global cognitive performance and UHDRS Total Functional Capacity scores provided the best predictive model of driving cessation. Measures of learning and psychomotor speed/attention accounted for the overall cognitive finding. In univariate analyses, numerous cognitive, motor, and daily functioning items were significantly associated with driving. Although driving status is associated with many aspects of the disease, results suggest that the strongest association is with cognitive performance. A detailed cognitive evaluation is an important component of multidisciplinary clinical assessment in patients with HD who are driving.

  • Record URL:
  • Authors:
    • Beglinger, Leigh J
    • Prest, Luke
    • Mills, James A
    • Paulsen, Jane S
    • Smith, Megan M
    • Gonzalez-Alegre, Pedro
    • Rowe, Kelly C
    • Nopoulos, Peggy
    • Uc, Ergun Y
  • Publication Date: 2012-8

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01444314
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Aug 27 2012 1:10PM