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Study Findings
A recent study has indicated that individuals who speak multiple languages may experience slower brain ageing compared to monolingual individuals. The research suggests that learning another language could potentially slow down the ageing process in the brain by up to 13 years.
Impact on Brain Ageing
The study, presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona, revealed that individuals who spoke two languages appeared to have brains that were approximately six years 'younger' than those who spoke only one language. Moreover, those who spoke three languages exhibited brains that appeared around seven years younger, while individuals speaking four languages had brains that appeared about 13 years younger.
Neurological Insights
The research involved the use of magnetoencephalography to analyze brain activity in 728 participants with varying linguistic abilities. By comparing the brains of multilingual individuals in the Basque region, the study highlighted that higher language proficiency and earlier acquisition of additional languages were linked to delayed brain ageing.
Expert Opinions
Dr. Lucia Amoruso from the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language emphasized that the depth and duration of language experience play a crucial role in the potential benefits on brain ageing. However, experts like Prof. Christina Dalla from the University of Athens caution that while being multilingual may contribute to better brain resilience, lifestyle factors and other protective activities could also play a significant role.
Conclusion
The study underscores the potential cognitive benefits of multilingualism, suggesting that learning additional languages could have a positive impact on brain health and resilience. While the findings are promising, further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship between multilingualism and brain ageing.
Based on reporting from theguardian.com
