Interní Med. 2010; 12(4): 205-208

Parkinson’s disease and ability to drive

MUDr.Jindra Svátová

Neurologická klinika FN Královské Vinohrady a 3. LF UK, Praha

Parkinson´s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by tremor, rigidity, bradykinesa and postural

instability, cognitive impairment can also be an important feature too. Driving may be negatively influenced by motor and non-motor

Parkinson´s disease symptoms, pharmacotherapy and multimorbidity. No evidence-based guidelines exist for assessing driving competency

in individuals with PD. Analysis of literature indicates the need of individual judgenent on mental state of patients with PD – the

need to pay attention not only to motor but to cognitive function, sleep disturbance and vision disturbance which might be overlooking

by clinical examination. Most individuals with PD are safe to drive especially during the first decade of their illness (disease), some of them

have benefit from car modifications, especially automatic transmission. Because of progression of PD, some part of patients shouldnť

be able to conduct with security a should be a potential high risk for safety on roadways. For that reason is important to evaluate both

emotional and pragmatic consequences.

Keywords: cognitive disturbance, excessiven daytime sleepiness, driving simulator

Published: May 1, 2010  Show citation