The effects of bilingualism on hippocampal volume in ageing bilinguals

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Voits, T., Robson, H., Rothman, J. and Pliatsikas, C. orcid id iconORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7093-1773 (2022) The effects of bilingualism on hippocampal volume in ageing bilinguals. Brain Structure and Function, 227. pp. 979-994. ISSN 1863-2661 doi: 10.1007/s00429-021-02436-z

Abstract/Summary

Long-term management of more than one language has been argued to contribute to changes in brain and cognition. This has been particularly well-documented in older age, where bilingualism has been linked to protective effects against neurocognitive decline. Since memory difficulties are key aspects of this decline, herein we examine potential effects of bilingualism on the hippocampus, a brain structure related to memory that is particularly vulnerable to cognitive ageing. Hippocampal volume has been shown to increase as a result of second language learning and use in younger adults. However, it is unknown if this is maintained throughout the lifespan. Herein, we examine hippocampal volume and episodic memory performance in a participant sample consisting of healthy older individuals with a wide range of experiences in exposure and using a second language. Results reveal greater hippocampal volume calibrated to degree of quantified dual language use. Our results mirror those of immersive active bilingualism in younger populations, suggesting long-term active bilingualism leads to neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus. We discuss this in the context of literature proposing bilingualism-induced brain reserve in the older age

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Item Type Article
URI https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/101557
Identification Number/DOI 10.1007/s00429-021-02436-z
Refereed Yes
Divisions Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Literacy and Multilingualism (CeLM)
Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN)
Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Department of Clinical Language Sciences
Life Sciences > School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences > Language and Cognition
Uncontrolled Keywords bilingualism, ageing, memory, hippocampus, structural MRI, experience-based neuroplasticity
Publisher Springer
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