Driving a car with a manual transmission can be more than just a matter of driving pleasure. A new Japanese study indicates that the extra mental and physical coordination required when driving stick shift can stimulate the brain and, in the long term, help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

The researchers, led by Professor Ryuta Kawashima at Tohoku University Institute of Development, investigated how different types of driving affect brain activity. According to the study, manual shifting activates the prefrontal cortex—which is central to attention, decision-making, working memory, and planning—to a significantly higher degree than driving with an automatic transmission.

Using the clutch pedal, gear stick, and accelerator at the same time requires continuous coordination between hands, feet, and visual impressions. The researchers suggest that this recurring brain exercise can serve as a kind of everyday cognitive stimulation, especially for older drivers.

The study suggests that regular driving with a manual transmission can help preserve brain function later in life.

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However, the researchers emphasize that the results do not mean that manual driving alone prevents dementia. The study shows a correlation between increased brain activity and factors associated with better cognitive function, but it does not prove that a manual transmission in itself prevents the disease.

More long-term studies are needed to determine whether the increased brain stimulation also leads to a lower incidence of dementia over time.

Manual cars are becoming increasingly rare

At the same time, cars with manual transmission are rapidly becoming a rarity. In Japan, they account for only about one to two percent of new car sales, while the share in the USA was around 0.7 percent in 2024.

In several European countries, manual transmissions are still considerably more common, although the trend there is also moving toward automatic cars.

Brain training is an established protective factor

The Japanese study aligns with previous research showing that regular mental stimulation can help build up a so-called “cognitive reserve,” making the brain more resilient to age-related decline.

Among established modifiable risk factors for dementia are physical inactivity, high blood pressure, smoking, hearing loss, and social isolation. However, there are still no scientific guidelines that recommend manual driving as a method to prevent dementia.

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