New research from renowned neuroscientist and Tohoku University professor Ryuta Kawashima in Japan suggests that driving a manual transmission vehicle can significantly improve brain health and may even help prevent dementia, a condition that affects well over 6 million Americans.Manual transmission vehicles are much like a species on the verge of extinction, and the primary reason they're around today is that car enthusiasts aren't letting them die, holding on to their gear levers like their lives depend on them.It now appears that life actually depends on it in a way. According to a report by the Japanese car news outlet Best Car Web, Professor Kawashima of Tohoku University has demonstrated that driving a manual car activates specific brain regions and may help prevent dementia. He said:AdvertisementAdvertisement"Driving an MT car activates the prefrontal cortex of the brain by requiring simultaneous clutch operation, gear shifting, accelerator control, and awareness of the surroundings." [Translated by Google]This exercises the brain, "because you have to judge and select the optimal gear according to the situation, it puts a better load on the brain's cognitive functions than a passive automatic transmission (AT) car."silver car gear shift leverHis research stated that regularly driving geared vehicles, whether motorcycles or cars, has a significant effect on maintaining mental health and cognitive function.Less Than 3% of Cars Sold in America Are ManualsAccording to a report by Motor1, only 1.7% of new car purchases in America in 2023 had a manual transmission. A few brands, such as BMW, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, and Toyota, still offer stick shifts today, but it remains to be seen how long they will be motivated to cater to a niche market.AdvertisementAdvertisementFigures posted by CarMax highlight a similar story- manual car sales increased to 2.8% in 2021 and 2.9% in 2022, from 2.4% in 2020.The figures suggest that manual transmission cars will likely remain a niche choice, given the convenience modern automatics offer. But if Professor Tohoku's findings are anything to go by, opting for a manual could have benefits beyond simply making driving more engaging. Even if it's just a small hatchback reserved for weekend drives, rowing through the gears might be worth it. You don't need a Porsche 911 to enjoy the experience, almost any manual will do. And who knows, it might even put a smile on your face.