Brain Activity During On-Road Driving Evaluations of Individuals with Schizophrenia: Insights and Development of a Driving Support System

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K21103
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0908:Society medicine, nursing, and related fields
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: Okada Hiroki 北海道大学, 保健科学研究院, 助教 (20908545)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 統合失調症 / 自動車運転 / 脳活動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, the driving skills and brain activity of individuals with schizophrenia undergoing stable treatment were compared with those of healthy controls using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and a driving simulator that closely resembles real vehicle environments. Twenty individuals with schizophrenia and twenty healthy controls participated in varying speed brake tasks and curve driving tasks. The results indicated no significant difference in task performance between the groups. However, brain activity showed a significant difference in the left and right prefrontal cortex during emergency braking tasks at 100 km/h. No significant differences were observed for the 50 km/h brake tasks and curve driving tasks. Furthermore, upon investigating the correlation between brain activity and driving skills in the forty participants with schizophrenia, a correlation between brain activity and brake response was revealed.

Free Research Field

精神科リハビリテーション

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

統合失調症は、道路交通法により、運転が制限される可能性がある疾患の一つとされているが、統合失調症者が事故を起こしやすいという医学的根拠は乏しいままである。急ブレーキタスクやハンドル操作など日常の運転で直面する可能性のある課題への対応能力が示されたことや、ブレーキ反応という事故を避けるための最も重要な運転技能を客観的に脳活動で評価可能であることが示されたことは、精神障がい者の自動車運転に関するより良い法的・社会的枠組みの構築の一助になることが期待される。