Risky driving and pedunculopontine nucleus-thalamic cholinergic denervation in Parkinson disease

Risky driving is related to pedunculopontine nucleus-thalamic but not neocortical cholinergic denervation or nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation in PD. This suggests that degeneration of the pedunculopontine nucleus, a brainstem center responsible for postural and gait control, plays a role in the ability of PD patients to drive.