A study being presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies conference in Barcelona indicates that multilingualism may have a protective effect on brain ageing. Researchers found associations between the number of languages spoken and apparent neurological age, with speakers of two languages showing brain patterns roughly six years younger than monolingual individuals, three-language speakers showing approximately seven years younger patterns, and four-language speakers displaying patterns associated with roughly 13 years less ageing.
The research was conducted by scientists from Spain, Chile, Argentina, and Dublin who studied residents of the Basque region, an area with high levels of multilingualism. The team measured brain activity from 728 people using magnetoencephalography and employed artificial intelligence to establish baseline brain connectivity levels for different ages. A separate group of 144 people speaking one, two, three, or four languages was then scanned and compared against these established patterns.
Dr. Lucia Amoruso from the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language noted that the findings extended beyond simple language count. Higher proficiency levels and earlier acquisition of additional languages were associated with greater delays in brain ageing, suggesting that the depth and duration of language experience matter as much as multilingualism itself. The researchers acknowledged accounting for factors including age, sex, and education but cautioned that they could not eliminate potential influences from lifestyle choices or social engagement.
Experts offered differing perspectives on the implications. Some neuroscientists welcomed the findings as supporting language learning across all ages. However, other researchers urged careful interpretation, noting that multilingual individuals may also participate in other brain-protective activities or have access to environments promoting cognitive health, such as reading, lifelong learning, and musical training.
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