Bilingualism as a brain protector: Speaking multiple languages could shield elderly from dementia.

In a new study from the Cognitive Neurology Lab at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences in Bengaluru, India, researchers have uncovered evidence that speaking more than one language could be a key factor in safeguarding cognitive health in older adults. This research, led by Neurology Professor Suvarna Alladi and published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, points to bilingualism as a potential shield against dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

“Dementia is a growing public health concern that calls for a global action plan. While age is a strong predictor of developing dementia, life-course experiences such as higher education, engaging in physical activities, occupational complexity and more recently, bilingualism can reduce the risk of developing dementia through improving cognitive reserve/resilience,” explained study author Nithin Thanissery, a senior research fellow at the Cognitive Neurology Lab.

“India is uniquely suited for the study of bilingualism, cognition and dementia. The country has a socio-linguistically and culturally diverse non-immigrant population which speaks about 122 major languages. Bilingualism is the norm in most of the communities of India including Bengaluru, Karnataka state where the study was conducted. Bilinguals switch between languages frequently, engaging the executive and attentional control systems. The constant engagement of the cognitive and neural networks that makes bilingualism a strong contributor to cognitive reserve.”