Citation

Chen J, Chen X, Gong L, Zhang D, Liu Q. PeerJ 2024; 12: e17228.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, PeerJ)

DOI

10.7717/peerj.17228

PMID

38618564

PMCID

PMC11015830

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Driving is a complex skill involving various cognitive activities. Previous research has explored differences in the brain structures related to the navigational abilities of drivers compared to non-drivers. However, it remains unclear whether changes occur in the structures associated with low-level sensory and higher-order cognitive abilities in drivers.

METHODS: Gray matter volume, assessed via voxel-based morphometry analysis of T1-weighted images, is considered a reliable indicator of structural changes in the brain. This study employs voxel-based morphological analysis to investigate structural differences between drivers (n = 22) and non-drivers (n = 20).

RESULTS: The results indicate that, in comparison to non-drivers, drivers exhibit significantly reduced gray matter volume in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and cerebellum, suggesting a relationship with driving-related experience. Furthermore, the volume of the middle occipital gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus, is found to be marginally negative related to the years of driving experience, suggesting a potential impact of driving experience on gray matter volume. However, no significant correlations were observed between driving experiences and frontal gray matter volume.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that driving skills and experience have a pronounced impact on the cortical areas responsible for low-level sensory and motor processing. Meanwhile, the influence on cortical areas associated with higher-order cognitive function appears to be minimal.

Language: en

Keywords

*Brain/diagnostic imaging; *Gray Matter/diagnostic imaging; Cerebellum; Cognition; Driving experience; Driving skill; Gray matter volume; Occipital Lobe/diagnostic imaging; Sensory and motor processing