Manual Driving Linked to Better Brain Health
A study led by Professor Ryuta Kawashima found that driving a manual transmission car activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that handles memory, decision-making, and attention. This could help prevent dementia. Kawashima's team at Tohoku University conducted the research, which looked at brain activity when driving manual and automatic cars.
Key points
- Professor Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist and creator of Brain Age and Dr Kawashima's Brain Training games, led a study on the benefits of driving a manual transmission car for brain health.
- The study, conducted by Kawashima's team at Tohoku University, found that driving a manual vehicle activates the prefrontal cortex, which handles memory, decision-making, and attention.
- The research suggests that the cognitive demands of driving a manual car, such as judging gear changes and coordinating clutch and gearstick, put a better load on the brain's cognitive functions than driving an automatic.
- The study's findings could have implications for preventing dementia, a condition that affects memory and cognitive function.
Manual Driving Linked to Better Brain Health
A recent study has found a link between driving a manual transmission car and better brain health. Led by Professor Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist and creator of popular brain training games, the research suggests that driving a manual vehicle activates the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that handles memory, decision-making, and attention.
The study, conducted by Kawashima's team at Tohoku University, looked at brain activity when driving manual and automatic cars. The researchers found that the cognitive demands of driving a manual car, such as judging gear changes and coordinating clutch and gearstick, put a better load on the brain's cognitive functions than driving an automatic.
The study's findings could have implications for preventing dementia, a condition that affects memory and cognitive function. While more research is needed to confirm the link between manual driving and brain health, the study's results are promising.
What's Next?
The study's findings have sparked interest in the potential benefits of manual driving for brain health. As the world's population ages, finding ways to prevent dementia and maintain cognitive function is becoming increasingly important. Further research is needed to confirm the link between manual driving and brain health, but the study's results are a promising step forward.
Sources
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