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Category: Project

Description: Recent evidence has shown that speaking more than one language impacts bilinguals’ cognitive processes and brain architecture. Current literature suggests that bilingualism has a significant and well-pronounced effect in older age - cognitive abilities are better preserved (Bialystok et al.,2012), and brain structures maintain their integrity for longer (Luk et al.,2011). It has even been suggested that bilingual individuals experience clinical symptoms of dementia at least 4 years later than monolinguals (Alladi et al.,2013). Bilinguals also exhibit better cognitive functioning at higher levels of dementia-related brain atrophy than monolinguals, which suggests a higher 'cognitive reserve' in bilingual patients (Schweizer et al.,2011) and has been attributed to protection of executive control circuits (Gold,2015). However, these claims remain controversial (Zahodne et al.,2014), the literature does not provide a direct brain- behaviour link, nor is there any longitudinal evidence linking bilingualism to the progression of dementia. Further investigating these claims is crucial, as bilingualism may emerge as a one long-term strategy against the impact of dementia. With this project we propose a cross-sectional and longitudinal study that will test monolingual and bilingual groups of patients with an early diagnosis of dementia. This study will help us determine the effects of additional language learning and use on brain structure and behaviour, as well as how the two are linked and interact. Testing will take place at the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, University of Reading, in collaboration with the Berkshire Memory and Cognition Centre (Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust). It will include behavioural tests tapping on cognitive skills that are affected by dementia (memory, executive control), as well as structural MRI scans to assess the structure of the ageing brain.