Bilingualism reduces associations between cognition and the brain at baseline, but does not show evidence of cognitive reserve over time

Bibliographic Data

ID15087388
AuthorsMeghan R Elliott (0000-0001-6294-1437, University of Southern California, corresponding author), Dan Mungas (0000-0003-2035-7085, University of California, Davis), Dan M Mungas, Miguel Arce Rentería (0000-0002-4696-6279, Columbia University Irving Medical Center), Rachel A Whitmer (0009-0006-9511-6138, University of California, Davis), Charles Decarli (0000-0003-1914-2693, University of California, Davis), Evan Fletcher (0000-0002-9761-3131, University of California, Davis), Evan M Fletcher
Year2025
Volume28
Issue1
Pages66-74
Publication date2025-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBilingualism Language and Cognition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1366-7289 • E-ISSN: 1469-1841
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1366728924000105
OpenAlexW4392352745
LanguageEN
References cited53

Studies suggest that bilingualism may be associated with better cognition, but the role of active bilingualism, the daily use of two languages, on cognitive trajectories remains unclear. One hypothesis is that frequent language switching may protect cognitive trajectories against effects of brain atrophy. Here, we examined interaction effects between language and brain variables on cognition among Hispanic participants at baseline (N = 153) and longitudinally (N = 84). Linguistic measures included self-reported active Spanish–English bilingualism or Spanish monolingualism. Brain measures included, at baseline, regions of gray matter (GM) thickness strongly correlated with cross-sectional episodic memory and executive function and longitudinally, tissue atrophy rates correlated with episodic memory and executive function change. Active Spanish–English bilinguals showed reduced association strength between cognition and gray matter thickness cross-sectionally, β =0.303, p β =0.024, p = 0.105. Thus, active bilingualism may support episodic memory and executive function despite GM atrophy cross-sectionally, but not longitudinally

Biology · Cognition · Cognitive impairment · Cognitive psychology · Cognitive reserve · Neuroscience of multilingualism · Language Development and Disorders · Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism · Neuroscience · Psychology · Reading and Literacy Development

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