Older drivers may have problems seeing cars, cyclists and walkers near them because they are so aware of movement farther away, a study suggests. The study focused on the medial temporal (MT) visual area of the brain. It found that this area helps people to ignore background motion. This allows them to focus on things near them. The study discovered this effect with tests on six young adults. Researchers used electric stimulation on the MT area to shut off its function for a short time. After this, people were more able to notice background motion in vision tests. Older adults are known to notice background motion better than younger people. Researchers said perhaps the MT area of the brain works less well as people age. The study appeared in the Journal of Neuroscience. HealthDay News wrote about it January 24.
