Bilingualism delays onset of Alzheimer's symptoms

January, 2011

A second study confirms the dramatic effect of being bilingual, with bilingual speakers being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s more than 4 years later than monoglots.

Clinical records of 211 patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's disease have revealed that those who have spoken two or more languages consistently over many years experienced a delay in the onset of their symptoms by as much as five years. It’s thought that lifelong bilingualism may contribute to cognitive reserve in the brain, enabling it to compensate for memory loss, confusion, and difficulties with problem-solving and planning.

Of the 211 patients of the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at Baycrest, 102 patients were classified as bilingual and 109 as monolingual. Bilingual patients had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4.3 years later than the monolingual patients on average, and had reported the onset of symptoms 5.1 years later. The groups were equivalent on measures of cognitive and occupational level, there was no apparent effect of immigration status, and there were no gender differences.

The findings confirm an earlier study from the same researchers, from the clinical records of 184 patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-11/bcfg-bdo110810.php

Reference:

[2039] Craik, F. I. M., Bialystok E., & Freedman M.
(2010). Delaying the onset of Alzheimer disease.
Neurology. 75(19), 1726 - 1729.

seniors

Alzheimers

Related News

Memory impairment more common in people with a history of cancer

Confirming earlier indications from small studies, a very large nationwide survey has found that people who have had cancer are 40% more likely to experience memory problems that interfere with daily functioning.

When estrogen helps memory, and when it doesn’t

Recent rodent studies add to our understanding of how estrogen affects learning and memory.

Insulin sensitivity may explain link between obesity, memory problems

Previous research has indicated that obesity in middle-age is linked to higher risk of cognitive decline and dementia in old age.

Compound in celery, peppers reduces age-related memory deficits

Inflammation in the brain appears to be a key contributor to age-related memory problems, and it may be that this has to do with the dysregulation of

Mental activity may slow cognitive decline initially, but speed up dementia later

A long-running study involving 1,157 healthy older adults (65+) who were scored on a 5-point scale according to how often they participated in mental activities such as listening to the radio, watching television, reading, playing games and going to a museum, has found that this score is correla

Friends, family detect early Alzheimer's signs better than traditional tests

Confirming earlier research, a study involving 257 older adults (average age 75) has found that a two-minute questionnaire filled out by a close friend or family member is more accurate that standard cognitive tests in detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s.

Low levels of omega-3 fatty acid may contribute to Alzheimer’s

Low levels of DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, have been found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease, but the reason has not been known.

Career choice may determine where frontotemporal dementia begins

A review of brain imaging and occupation data from 588 patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia has found that among the dementias affecting those 65 years and younger, FTD is as common as Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive decline is not simply a function of getting old

Findings from the long-running Religious Orders Study, from 354 Catholic nuns and priests who were given annual cognitive tests for up to 13 years before having their brains examined post-mortem, has revealed that even the very early cognitive impairments we regard as normal in aging are associa

Factors linked to cognitive deficits in type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is known to increase the risk of cognitive impairment in old age.

Pages