In a groundbreaking study led by Professor Ryuta Kawashima, the mastermind behind Nintendo's Brain Age and Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training series, manual driving has been revealed as a potential brain booster! Conducted at Tohoku University’s Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, the research compared brain activity during manual and automatic car drives. The findings suggest that the intricate decision-making and coordination required to drive a stick shift activates the prefrontal cortex - the region responsible for memory, decision-making, and attention. This stimulation is said to have a significant impact on maintaining mental health and cognitive function, potentially helping to combat dementia. As Japan and other countries grapple with an aging population and cognitive decline, driving manual cars could be a key strategy to keeping those grey cells active! Despite the apparent benefits, manual transmission vehicles are becoming increasingly rare, accounting for only 1-2% of new cars in the U.S. and Japan. Fear not, gaming enthusiasts! Certain video games can also help keep your brain sharp. Research shows that playing action games improves cognitive function and increases grey matter, while titles like Animal Crossing may even boost your mental health. Stay tuned for more brain-boosting tips from the world of gaming! Verity Townsend, a Japan-based freelance writer with a passion for game news, culture, and movies, brings you this exciting discovery.