Bilingualism Reduces the Risk of Dementia: Study

Knowing more than two languages can prevent memory decline in later years, according to a study.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh discovered that bilingualism or knowing multiple languages keeps the brain sharp and protects against age induced decline in thinking and mental skills. They suggest that people who known only one language should learn a new one as it helps slow down brain aging.

Their study used data from the 1936 Lothian Birth Cohort of 835 individuals living in Scotland with English as their native language. These participants were followed throughout their lives and given IQ tests when aged about 11 and 70. About 262 subjects knew another language apart from English. Nearly 195 of these individuals reported learning the language before 18 and the rest much later.

It was observed that participants who knew two or more languages had better cognitive abilities than those who spoke only one language. These individuals scored high in general intelligence and reading tests.

"The Lothian Birth Cohort offers a unique opportunity to study the interaction between bilingualism and cognitive aging, taking into account the cognitive abilities predating the acquisition of a second language," said Thomas Bak, study author and researcher from the Centre for Cognitive Aging and Cognitive Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh in a news release.

 "These findings are of considerable practical relevance. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life. Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the aging brain."

Past trials set out to examine the effects of bilingualism in allaying the symptoms of dementia could not help determine if language learning improved the brain or if people with high intelligence could easily grasp a second language. However, the current findings help in identifying new methods to improve mental health in seniors and prevent memory decline that can progress in conditions like dementia and Alzheimer's.

The research was funded by charity organization Age in U.K. More information is available online in the journal Annals of Neurology.