Essilor (Canada)

Introduction: Research has demonstrated links between driving ability and perceptual-cognitive abilities. Such research is typically conducted in older adult populations due to well-established cognitive decline even in healthy ageing. Still, some authors have argued that the relationship should not be neglected in younger drivers. This study investigated whether training three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT)—a dynamic, speeded tracking task soliciting multiple forms of attention and speed-of-processing—would produce beneficial transfer to measures of simulated driving performance and whether the effect might vary in older and younger adults. Methods: 34 subjects (20 young adult, 14 older adult) divided into 3D-MOT and active control groups were recruited and trained twice weekly for 5 weeks during 30-minute laboratory sessions (10 total). Pre- and post-training driving performance was assessed using previously-validated objective driving measures on driving simulator scenarios pre-programmed with dangerous events necessitating participants to react appropriately to avoid collisions. Results: Younger and older adults exhibited very different learning outcomes on the specific 3D-MOT training paradigm employed in this study, suggesting it may not have been optimal for both age groups. This appeared to be further reflected in differential training transfer outcomes. Nevertheless, analysis of covariance revealed a statistically significant increase in the distance at which participants trained using 3D-MOT finished executing braking maneuvers in response to dangerous events compared to active controls [F(1,29) = 4.59, p = .041, η2p = .14]. Conclusion: The findings are consistent with the idea that 3D-MOT training enhances perceptual-cognitive ability and that this can translate to quicker reactions during a simulated driving task. This result provides a rationale for future studies examining whether such training may produce long-term improvements in driver safety in the real world.

The gaze movement from a driver represents specific skills related to safe driving. Driving maneuvering evaluation is to know driving fitness. We found that gaze movement entropy is highly sensitive to visual behavior demands while driving a vehicle and the workload level. Entropy measures were more sensitive, more robust, and easier to calculate than gaze established measures. The gaze movement measures were collected using a driving simulator, using five different simulate routes and tree different workload scenarios; one route of familiarization was used to create a baseline. Because the workload became more difficult, drivers looked more at the central part of the road for more extended periods, the gaze movement entropy values decreased when the workload was increased, and the results show differences between two levels of workload. Also, the entropy result is compared against the classical analysis of the spatial distribution of gaze.

Introduction : Beyond their refractive distinction, Myopes and Emmetropes show behavioral differences, especially in the presence of blur. Our study's aim is to compare cortical responses in the primary visual cortex (V1) between the two populations and explore correlations with optometric measurements. Protocol : We studied 21 young adults (18 to 35 years), including 10 Myopes and 11 Emmetropes. The total wavefront aberration with natural pupil diameter is measured for both eyes without correction. Once equipped with their visual correction, they undergo an fMRI exam at 3T. This includes a sequence of retinotopy and stimulation for 18s, viewing natural images or tables of optotypes, either sharp or with a 2 diopter artificial blur. To maintain the subject's attention, a detection task of gradual reversal of blur level was introduced at the end of the stimulation (last 6 seconds). Analysis : Data were processed with BrainVoyager and Matlab. The parts of V1 corresponding to the fovea, the perifovea and 3° of eccentricity, were located for each subject. Then cortical activity was integrated over the static stimulation duration. Values obtained were compared with optometric measures. Results : The main significant correlations are between the mean total wavefront aberration of both eyes (rms) and perifovea. For Myopes correlations are for sharp scenes (left, right and both hemisphere R ² = 0.64, p = 0.01) and sharp optotypes (right and both hemisphere R ² = 0.58, p = 0.01). For Emmetropes correlations are significant only for the left hemisphere activity for sharp optotypes (R ² = 0.46, p = 0.02) and sharp scenes (R ² = 0.38, p = 0.04). Conclusion : The level of cortical activity of V1 corresponding to the perifovea of corrected Myopes remains correlated with the total wavefront aberration, when taking into account both ametropia and pupil diameter. This correlation is much weaker for Emmetropes. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2014