Bilingualism is not a consequence, but the cause of a clear mind in old age
Scientists: learning a second language slows down brain aging
Experts used data from mental development tests of 262 natives of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and then compared the cognitive brain functions of the same people at the age of 70. First of all, attention was paid to how the cognitive abilities of the subjects have changed over the years.
Each participant of this study knew at least one foreign language. 195 out of 262 people learned a second language before the age of 18, the rest – after 18.
The study was conducted from 2008 to 2010, its results are published in the journal Annals of Neurology (Speaking Two Languages Benefits the Aging Brain – VM).
According to the results of the study, those who speak two or more languages have more developed cognitive abilities. This is especially evident in reading and in general intelligence.
Moreover, this statement is equally true for those who learned a second language before the age of 18, and for those who learned it later.
A previous study on the same topic concluded that bilingualism delays dementia for several years.
An important question that the scientists of the previous study asked was whether learning a second language improves cognitive functions or whether people with more developed cognitive abilities are more predisposed to being bilinguals.
Professor Thomas Buck from the University of Edinburgh believes that he has found the answer to this question.
According to him, the researchers found a very indicative structure of thinking in the subjects: they improved attention, concentration and fluent speech. And this is not due to general mental development, namely learning a second language.
"The results obtained have significant practical value," Professor Buck is convinced. "Millions of people around the world are learning a second language in adulthood. Our study shows that bilingualism, at whatever age the language is learned, can have a positive effect on the aging brain."
However, he also acknowledged that this study raised many other questions. For example, can learning a second language have the same positive effect on a person's cognitive function in old age and is there an advantage for those who actively speak a second language compared to those who speak a second language passively.
"This study paves the way for further study of the causal relationship of bilingualism with the prevention of cognitive decline," says Professor Alvaro Pascual-Leone from Harvard Medical School.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru02.06.2014