Nintendo Brain Training Professor Explains Why Driving a Manual Transmission Car Is Better for Your Brain Than an Automatic
Professor Ryuta Kawashima, the neuroscientist behind Nintendo’s Brain Training franchise, has released new research suggesting that driving a manual transmission vehicle offers cognitive benefits compared to automatic transmission cars. The study, conducted at Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, examined brain activity patterns in drivers using both transmission types.
The research found that operating a manual transmission vehicle activates the prefrontal cortex—the brain region responsible for memory, decision-making, and attention—more significantly than driving an automatic transmission car. This increased activation has potential implications for cognitive health, with the study suggesting that manual driving could help prevent dementia.
Kawashima gained widespread recognition through the Brain Age and Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training game series, which were released primarily on Nintendo platforms from 2003 to 2020. These titles were based on his previous neuroscience research and brought brain-training concepts to millions of players worldwide. His current research continues his long-standing focus on brain health and cognitive stimulation.
The findings add to existing research on cognitive engagement and brain health, suggesting that everyday activities requiring complex motor control and attention may provide neurological benefits similar to dedicated brain-training exercises.