Department of Functional Brain Imaging (Prof. Ryuta Kawashima) at Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University (President Akihisa INOUE, Ph.D.) will start the second research on the relation between driving a two-wheel vehicle and brain activation in the collaboration with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (President and Representative Director Takashi Kajikawa.) The research will be conducted through September, 2009 to December, 2010. The research group will measure and analyze a casual relationship between brain activation and types of vehicles, and conduct mass survey in a market for a long period to measure changes of activation effect with time.

 The purpose of Yamaha Motor’s participation in the project is to closely study on the relation between driving a two-wheel vehicle and brain activation through researches for realizing Smart Aging Society by Ryuta Kawashima Laboratory, and to promote the two-wheel vehicle market. Yamaha Motor is responsible for the following: providing vehicles including two-wheel vehicles and a test course, subject recruitment, and sending staff members.

 The research group found out three results from the first research in 2008. First, drivers’ brain has been activated during driving a two-wheel vehicle. Second, there are differences between active drivers and drivers after a long absence in how to use brain and brain activation. Last, driving a two-wheel vehicle in ordinary lives has improved some types of brain cognitive function and mental health such as reducing stress and having a positive effect on the brain and the mind.

 The second research consists of Test 1 (through September, 2009 to October, 2009) and Test 2 (through October, 2009 to December, 2010.) Test 1 will study on relations between brain activation and differences of vehicles, road environment, and how to handle a two-wheel vehicle. Test 2 will study on relations between brain activation and changes with time in many of those surveyed.

Test1
Date: September, 2009 to October, 2009
Venue: Sports Land SUGO (Murata, Shibata, Miyagi)
Measurement Instrument: A test model of Optical Topography Device by Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd.
Subjects: Active drivers

Test 2
Date: October, 2009 to December, 2010
Venue: Tokyo area
Validation Method: Test of cognition function, questionnaires about mental health, and so on.
Subjects: Those who voluntarily buy a two-wheel vehicle at Yamaha Sports Plaza　（YSP）in Tokyo area during the test.

[Contact]
Professor Ryuta Kawashima
Division of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University
E-mail：fbi@idac.tohoku.ac.jp