NAVIGATION SYSTEMS ARE SHUTTING DOWN REGIONS OF THE BRAIN, STUDIES SHOW.

A new study published in Nature Communications and Scientific American has found that using navigation systems when driving minimises the brain activity of a specific area of the brain. 

The journal states that two regions of the brain work together when one is navigating through new environments and planning your directions. But this only happens when a person isn't relying on a navigation system. When one relies on navigation systems, the two brain regions affected turn off. 

The brain structure called the hippocampus is involved in human memory function and spatial navigation. This structure acts as a built-in guidance system that remembers the new environment in order to remember how to navigate through the area. The study found that activity in the rear right of the hippocampus increased.

The study found that activity in the rear right of the hippocampus increased when entering a new environment, and when more than one route was available, brain activity intensified. 

However, when navigation systems were in use, activity in the hippocampus decreased. 

Hugo Spiers, one of the authors of the study, noted that the front area of the hippocampus region was much larger in taxi drivers and experienced drivers because the hippocampus only activates if you're using your own memory to navigate.

"If you think about the brain muscle, then certain activities, like learning the maps of London's streets, are like body building", Spiers says.

Next time you're using your navigation system – maybe think about rather strengthening your brain!