Learning another language may slow brain ageing by up to 13 years, study finds
10 reported1 unconfirmed
A study presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona suggests that learning another language could slow brain ageing by up to 13 years. Researchers in Spain, Chile, Argentina and Dublin used magnetoencephalography to measure brain activity in 728 people with varying ages and linguistic abilities, then used AI to calculate normal brain connectivity at any given age. A second group of 144 people, with equal numbers speaking one, two, three or four languages, were scanned and compared. The study found that bilingual speakers had brains appearing about six years younger than monolinguals, while those speaking three languages appeared about seven years younger, and those speaking four languages appeared about 13 years younger. Dr Lucia Amoruso from the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language stated that higher language proficiency and earlier acquisition of a second language were associated with more delayed brain ageing. Researchers accounted for age, sex and education but cautioned that other factors like lifestyle and social engagement could not be ruled out. External experts urged caution, noting that multilingual people may also engage in healthier lifestyles or have better access to protective activities.
What’s reported
The study was presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona.
Researchers used magnetoencephalography to measure brain activity of 728 people, then AI to calculate normal brain connectivity.
A second group of 144 people with equal numbers speaking one, two, three or four languages was compared.
Bilingual speakers had brains appearing about six years younger than monolinguals.
Speakers of three languages had brains appearing about seven years younger.
Speakers of four languages had brains appearing about 13 years younger.
Dr Lucia Amoruso said higher language proficiency and earlier acquisition of a second language were associated with more delayed brain ageing.
Researchers accounted for age, sex and education but could not rule out other factors like lifestyle and social engagement.
Prof Christina Dalla supported language learning at any age for brain health.
Eef Hogervorst urged caution, noting multilingual people may have healthier lifestyles or better access to protective activities.
Open questions
Whether other factors such as lifestyle and social engagement influenced the results.
Key figures
Dr Lucia Amoruso, Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language, San Sebastián
Prof Christina Dalla, neuroscientist, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Eef Hogervorst, professor of biological psychology, Loughborough University
Sources: The Guardian
