Dr. Kawashima Says Manual Driving Boosts Brain Health More Than Automatics

A new piece of research led by neuroscientist Ryuta Kawashima argues that driving a manual-transmission car may be good for the brain—and could be one tool in the fight against dementia. Kawashima is already a familiar name to gamers thanks to his “Brain Age” work and the long-running Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training series, which first appeared on Nintendo platforms and has continued to reach audiences primarily between 2003 and 2020.

What the study measured: manual vs. automatic driving

The investigation was carried out by Kawashima’s team at Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer. Researchers focused on brain activity while participants drove both manual and automatic cars.

In their findings, the key difference came down to how the driving task engages specific brain regions. According to the study, the set of actions required to operate a manual vehicle activates the prefrontal cortex in a way that driving an automatic transmission does not.

The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain associated with memory, decision-making, and attention. So the argument isn’t simply that driving is “stimulating,” but that the mental workload involved in manual driving may directly target the systems tied to those cognitive functions.

Why a stick shift may “train” the brain more

Manual driving demands continuous judgment and coordination. With a stick shift, you must decide which gear to select by reading the driving situation and the surrounding conditions. After that decision, you also perform the physical act of shifting—operating the clutch pedal and gearstick at the same time—while maintaining control of acceleration.

That combination of mental planning and real-time motor control is something many people only learn the hard way when they stall a manual car during early training. Kawashima and colleagues concluded that these decisions and the associated actions involved in driving a manual vehicle “light up” the prefrontal cortex.

In a quote reported by Japanese news outlet Best Car Web, Kawashima explained the reasoning in plain terms: you judge what’s happening and choose the most suitable gear for the moment, and that workload creates a stronger demand on cognitive functions than driving a passive automatic transmission vehicle.

What this could mean for dementia risk and aging societies

Put simply, the study frames regular manual driving as a recurring mental workout. Kawashima also states that this approach can have “a significant effect on maintaining mental health and cognitive function.”

That matters in a global context where aging populations are making cognitive decline a major public health concern. The research suggests manual driving may be one practical lifestyle option that helps keep the brain active and potentially supports efforts to reduce dementia risk.

However, there’s a clear tension between the potential benefits and current car trends. Manual transmission vehicles are declining in popularity, replaced by easier automatic options. This shift is especially pronounced in the U.S. and Japan, where manual transmissions make up only about 1% to 2% of new cars.

If you can’t drive manual, gaming may be the next lever

The study’s usefulness may depend on access—many people simply don’t drive stick anymore. But the source also points to another possible path for cognitive engagement: certain video games. A range of research has suggested that gaming can support brain function.

Examples mentioned include work showing that action game players tend to perform better on cognitive measures and may have higher levels of gray matter. The article also references a 2020 study from Oxford University that found games such as Animal Crossing could improve aspects of mental health.

• Manual driving appears to activate the prefrontal cortex more than automatic driving.
• The study links that effect to the need for gear selection decisions and coordinated clutch/gear control.
• Cognitive decline is a growing concern as populations age, making “brain-activating” habits more relevant.
• Manual cars are increasingly rare, especially in the U.S. and Japan.
• If driving isn’t an option, some research suggests gaming may also help support mental health and cognitive function.

Verity Townsend is a Japan-based freelance writer who previously served as editor, contributor and translator for the game news site Automaton West. She has also written about Japanese culture and movies for various publications.