The Brain Rejuvenation Effect: Bilinguals Show a Difference of Up to 13 Years from Their Passport Age

Languages and Brain Age

According to НВ — Техно: Experts from the University of the Basque Country, led by Lucia Amoruso, studied the link between multilingualism and brain aging. The study involved several hundred volunteers, whose neuronal activity was recorded using special instruments. Based on this data, artificial intelligence created a model of the brain's 'aging clock.' For Russian-speaking audiences, this is another reason to view language learning as a way to care for cognitive health.

What the Model Verification Showed

When the model was applied to participants, the difference was impressive. The brains of individuals who knew two languages appeared about six years younger than their passport age. Three languages correlated with a seven-year difference, while those with four languages had a difference of thirteen years. The authors emphasize the importance of three conditions:

• the number of languages in one’s arsenal;
• the age at which learning began;
• the level of confident proficiency.

However, the researchers remind us that the exact causal mechanism still needs to be determined, and other habits also influence mental clarity. These results demonstrate how significant language education can be for supporting cognitive functions throughout life.

The work confirms the value of languages not only as a means of communication but also as a possible protection for cognitive health. Such data could encourage schools and authorities to more actively incorporate language programs into the education of people of all ages. Additionally, they open new directions for research that could help develop more effective measures for preventing age-related cognitive impairments.

As research continues to unveil the complexities of brain aging, understanding the various phases of this process becomes crucial. For instance, a recent study highlights a newly identified aging phase in individuals aged 50 to 75, which may have implications for cognitive health. Exploring these findings could provide valuable insights into how different factors, including language proficiency, affect our mental sharpness over time. To learn more about this intriguing aspect of brain aging, read about the newly recognized stage of brain aging.