Bilingual boost: Fighting Alzheimer's with language skills
We often don't consider this when we start teaching our children, but ensuring they are bilingual can significantly protect them from Alzheimer's. According to the latest research by scientists at Canada's Concordia University, speaking two languages can delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms by up to five years compared to those who speak only one language.
Researchers in Montreal analyzed brain areas associated with language and aging using neuroimaging methods. They compared brain structures in older monolingual and bilingual individuals who were cognitively healthy, showed subjective cognitive decline, had mild cognitive impairment, or had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
The study results showed that the hippocampus — the main brain area responsible for learning and memory and greatly affected by Alzheimer's — was noticeably larger and in better condition in bilingual individuals with the disease than in monolingual individuals. This effect persisted even after taking into account the age, education level, and cognitive and memory abilities of the participants.
Bilingualism helps. Not only in the case of Alzheimer's
Bilingualism is considered a lifestyle factor contributing to the brain's resilience to aging processes. The mental stimulation from speaking more than one language, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, good sleep, and proper sensory functioning, helps protect the brain.
