The Neuropsychological Assessment Battery Driving Scenes Test in a Dementia Clinic

Abstract

Objective: In dementia research, the Driving Scenes test from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery has been shown to relate to memory, dementia diagnosis, and functional impairment. The aim of the current study was to examine Driving Scenes and its component scores, and their relationships with cognition and daily functioning, in a mixed dementia clinic sample. Method: One hundred U.S. military veterans between the ages of 55 and 88 were administered a full neuropsychological protocol that included Driving Scenes. Results: The Driving Scenes score and its subscores were strongly related to memory skills, and there were additional subscore associations with language and visuospatial functions. Driving Scenes uniquely predicted reported bill payment difficulties and tendency to get lost while driving, which were not predicted by other performances across cognitive domains. Conclusion: Driving Scenes is a clinically and functionally relevant measure of memory. Although the Driving Scenes total score remains useful in dementia evaluations, component scores and error scores contribute additional practical information.