Does sleep apnea exacerbate adverse driving behaviors and accident risk in drivers with preclinical markers of Alzheimer's disease?

Motor vehicle accidents are a major cause of injury and morality on the road and represent a significant societal and economic burden. The risk of road accidents varies with age of the driver with younger people being most at risk, but the risk is also elevated in older people (65+ years of age) compared with middle-aged adults. Unlike in younger age groups, older people who are involved in a motor vehicle accident are more likely to be injured and die as result representing the second leading cause of mortality after falls.

In older people, there are several important risk factors that contribute to an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents. Cognitive function declines with age and conversion to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is on the rise, both of which contribute to driving impairment and accident risk...