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Venugopal A, Paplikar A, Varghese FA, Thanissery N, Ballal D, Hoskeri RM, Shekar R, Bhaskarapillai B, Arshad F, Purushothaman VV, Anniappan AB, Rao GN, Alladi S. Protective effect of bilingualism on aging, MCI, and dementia: A community-based study. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:2620-2631. [PMID: 38376105 PMCID: PMC11032525 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lifelong bilingualism is associated with a delayed age at onset of dementia, but evidence from community-based studies is limited. We investigated the relationship between bilingualism and the prevalence of cognitive impairment in a linguistically diverse community. METHODS A door-to-door community study was conducted from January to December 2021 in urban Bengaluru, India. 1234 individuals aged ≥60 years participated in the study. Participants were diagnosed with no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or dementia using established diagnostic criteria. RESULTS Dementia prevalence was higher in monolinguals (4.9%) than bilinguals (0.4%) (P = .001). The prevalence of MCI was also higher in monolinguals (8.5%) than bilinguals (5.3%) (P = .001). The study also revealed better cognitive function in bilinguals than monolinguals with NCI, after controlling for confounding variables. DISCUSSION The current study provides significant support for the protective effect of bilingualism on cognitive impairment in an urban community with extensive bilingual interactional contexts in everyday life. HIGHLIGHTS Bilingualism has been demonstrated to protect against dementia and mild cognitive impairment in a linguistically diverse community with extensive code-switching contexts. Bilingual older individuals had superior baseline cognitive performance compared to monolingual older individuals. Bilingualism was found to have an independent effect on general cognition after adjusting for major social determinants of health in the group without cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparna Venugopal
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
- Department of Speech Pathology & AudiologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Avanthi Paplikar
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
- Department of Speech and Language StudiesDr. S. R. Chandrasekhar Institute of Speech and HearingBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Feba Anna Varghese
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Nithin Thanissery
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Divya Ballal
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | | | - Revathi Shekar
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Binukumar Bhaskarapillai
- Department of BiostatisticsNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Faheem Arshad
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | | | | | - Girish Nagaraja Rao
- Department of EpidemiologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
| | - Suvarna Alladi
- Department of NeurologyNational Institute of Mental Health and NeurosciencesBengaluruKarnatakaIndia
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Keller L, Viebahn MC, Hervais-Adelman A, Seeber KG. Unpacking the multilingualism continuum: An investigation of language variety co-activation in simultaneous interpreters. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289484. [PMID: 38015946 PMCID: PMC10684095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examines the phonological co-activation of a task-irrelevant language variety in mono- and bivarietal speakers of German with and without simultaneous interpreting (SI) experience during German comprehension and production. Assuming that language varieties in bivarietal speakers are co-activated analogously to the co-activation observed in bilinguals, the hypothesis was tested in the Visual World paradigm. Bivarietalism and SI experience were expected to affect co-activation, as bivarietalism requires communication-context based language-variety selection, while SI hinges on concurrent comprehension and production in two languages; task type was not expected to affect co-activation as previous evidence suggests the phenomenon occurs during comprehension and production. Sixty-four native speakers of German participated in an eye-tracking study and completed a comprehension and a production task. Half of the participants were trained interpreters and half of each sub-group were also speakers of Swiss German (i.e., bivarietal speakers). For comprehension, a growth-curve analysis of fixation proportions on phonological competitors revealed cross-variety co-activation, corroborating the hypothesis that co-activation in bivarietals' minds bears similar traits to language co-activation in multilingual minds. Conversely, co-activation differences were not attributable to SI experience, but rather to differences in language-variety use. Contrary to expectations, no evidence for phonological competition was found for either same- nor cross-variety competitors in either production task (interpreting- and word-naming variety). While phonological co-activation during production cannot be excluded based on our data, exploring the effects of additional demands involved in a production task hinging on a language-transfer component (oral translation from English to Standard German) merit further exploration in the light of a more nuanced understanding of the complexity of the SI task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Keller
- Interpreting Department, Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Malte C. Viebahn
- Department of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Kilian G. Seeber
- Interpreting Department, Faculty of Translation and Interpreting, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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3
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Huang R, Baker ER, Schneider JM. Executive function skills account for a bilingual advantage in English novel word learning among low-income preschoolers. J Exp Child Psychol 2023; 235:105714. [PMID: 37307648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2023.105714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The current study compared economically disadvantaged bilingual and monolingual preschoolers' performance on an English novel word learning task and examined whether children's executive function (EF) skills account for differences in novel word learning performance across groups. In total, 39 English monolinguals and 35 Spanish-English bilingual preschoolers from low-income homes completed a battery of EF measures and the Quick Interactive Language Screener to gauge English novel word learning ability. Within a poverty context, bilingual preschoolers performed significantly better on measures of English novel word learning as compared with their monolingual peers. This bilingual advantage in novel word learning ability was mediated by short-term memory, but not inhibition or attention shifting, which indicates that gains in short-term memory may facilitate word learning in English for bilingual preschoolers from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These findings have important practical implications for interventions designed to promote English vocabulary growth for low-income bilingual children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Huang
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
| | - Erin Ruth Baker
- Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Julie M Schneider
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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Gosselin L, Sabourin L. Language athletes: Dual-language code-switchers exhibit inhibitory control advantages. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1150159. [PMID: 37063556 PMCID: PMC10102468 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1150159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have begun to examine bilingual cognition from more nuanced, experienced-based perspectives. The present study adds to this body of work by investigating the potential impact of code-switching on bilinguals’ inhibitory control abilities. Crucially, our bilingual participants originated from a predominantly dual-language environment, the interactional context which is believed to require (and therefore, potentially train) cognitive control processes related to goal-monitoring and inhibition. As such, 266 French Canadian bilinguals completed an online experiment wherein they were asked to complete a domain-general (Flanker) and a language-specific (bilingual Stroop) inhibitory control task, as well as extensive demographic and language background questionnaires. Stepwise multiple regressions (including various potential demographic and linguistic predictors) were conducted on the participants’ Flanker and Stroop effects. The results indicated that the bilinguals’ propensity to code-switch consistently yielded significant positive (but unidirectional) inhibitory control effects: dual-language bilinguals who reported more habitual French-to-English switching exhibited better goal-monitoring and inhibition abilities. For the language-specific task, the analysis also revealed that frequent unintentional code-switching may mitigate these inhibition skills. As such, the findings demonstrate that dual-language code-switchers may experience inhibitory control benefits, but only when their switching is self-reportedly deliberate. We conclude that the bilinguals’ interactional context is thus of primary importance, as the dual-language context is more conducive to intentional code-switching. Overall, the current study highlights the importance of considering individualistic language experience when it comes to examining potential bilingual executive functioning advantages.
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Chachashvili-Bolotin S, Kreiner H. Heritage-bilingualism and educational achievement among second-generation immigrants: Are all school subjects equal? LEARNING AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lindif.2022.102226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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6
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Enke S, Gunzenhauser C, Johann VE, Karbach J, Saalbach H. “Hot” executive functions are comparable across monolingual and bilingual elementary school children: Results from a study with the Iowa Gambling Task. Front Psychol 2022; 13:988609. [PMID: 36148119 PMCID: PMC9486539 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.988609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Past research found performance differences between monolingual and bilingual children in the domain of executive functions (EF). Furthermore, recent studies have reported advantages in processing efficiency or mental effort in bilingual adults and children. These studies mostly focused on the investigation of “cold” EF tasks. Studies including measures of “hot” EF, i.e., tasks operating in an emotionally significant setting, are limited and hence results are inconclusive. In the present study, we extend previous research by investigating performance in a task of the “hot” EF domain by both behavioral data and mental effort via pupillary changes during task performance. Seventy-three monolingual and bilingual school children (mean age = 107.23 months, SD = 10.26) solved the Iowa Gambling Task in two different conditions. In the standard task, characterized by constant gains and occasional losses, children did not learn to improve their decision-making behavior. In a reversed task version, characterized by constant losses and occasional gains, both monolinguals and bilinguals learned to improve their decision-making behavior over the course of the task. In both versions of the task, children switched choices more often after losses than after gains. Bilinguals switched their choices less often than monolinguals in the reversed task, indicating a slightly more mature decision-making strategy. Mental effort did not differ between monolinguals and bilinguals. Conclusions of these findings for the bilingual advantage assumption will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Enke
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- *Correspondence: Susanne Enke,
| | - Catherine Gunzenhauser
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Faculty of Education, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Verena E. Johann
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz and Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Individual Development and Adaptive Education (IDeA), Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Julia Karbach
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz and Landau, Landau, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
- Individual Development and Adaptive Education (IDeA), Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Henrik Saalbach
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
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7
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Chrysochoou E, Vivas AB, Cana L, Demetriou A. The bilingual effect on cognitive development: not an executive function advantage, but a differentiation of mental abilities. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2021.2002875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisavet Chrysochoou
- School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ana B. Vivas
- Psychology Department, CITY College, University of York Europe Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Likanë Cana
- Psychology Department, the University of Sheffield International Faculty, City College, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Andreas Demetriou
- Department of Psychology, University of Nicosia, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Cyprus, Academy of Sciences, Letters, and Arts, Nicosia, Cyprus
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8
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Blanco-Elorrieta E, Caramazza A. On the Need for Theoretically Guided Approaches to Possible Bilingual Advantages: An Evaluation of the Potential Loci in the Language and Executive Control Systems. NEUROBIOLOGY OF LANGUAGE (CAMBRIDGE, MASS.) 2021; 2:452-463. [PMID: 37214630 PMCID: PMC10158579 DOI: 10.1162/nol_a_00041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Whether a cognitive advantage exists for bilingual individuals has been the source of heated debate in the last decade. While empirical evidence putatively in favor of or against this alleged advantage has been frequently discussed, the potential sources of enhanced cognitive control in bilinguals have only been broadly declared, with no mechanistic elaboration of where, why, and how this purported link between bilingualism and enhanced language control develops, and how this enhancement transfers to, and subsequently improves, general executive function. Here, we evaluate different potential sources for a bilingual advantage and develop the assumptions one would have to make about the language processing system to be consistent with each of these notions. Subsequently, we delineate the limitations in the generalizations from language to overall executive function, and characterize where these advantages could be identified if there were to be any. Ultimately, we conclude that in order to make significant progress in this area, it is necessary to look for advantages in theoretically motivated areas, and that in the absence of clear theories as to the source, transfer, and target processes that could lead to potential advantages, an inconsistent body of results will follow, making the whole pursuit of a bilingual advantage moot.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alfonso Caramazza
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Trento, Italy
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9
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Crowe K, Cuervo S, Guiberson M, Washington KN. A Systematic Review of Interventions for Multilingual Preschoolers With Speech and Language Difficulties. JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2021; 64:4413-4438. [PMID: 34554866 DOI: 10.1044/2021_jslhr-21-00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose There is a shortage of information on evidence-based interventions for supporting young multilingual children. The purpose of this review was to identify interventions that have been evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who are at risk of poor speech, language, literacy, and/or educational outcomes. Method This review considered speech, language, and early literacy interventions evaluated with preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties (PROSPERO ID: 165892). The following electronic databases were searched: EBSCO (CINAHL Plus, ERIC, PsycINFO, Medline, Education) and Linguistics, Language, and Behavior Abstracts. Data were extracted describing article, participant, methodological, and intervention variables, and effect sizes. The Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) standards for evidence-based practice were used to examine the quality of studies. Results Fifty-six relevant studies were identified in 52 articles and these studies described 4,551 participants who had speech sound disorder (six articles), developmental language disorder (11 articles), or were considered to be at risk (36 articles). The interventions targeted speech production (seven studies), language (45 studies), and early literacy (11 studies) skills. Most studies reported positive effects. Only 15 studies met all quality indicators specified by the CEC (2014) and these described 18 interventions targeting language and literacy skills. The only intervention with sufficient evidence to be considered an evidence-based practice was Nuestros Niños [Our Children] for children's early literacy and phonological awareness skills. Conclusions A number of high-quality studies exist that describe speech, language and/or literacy interventions for preschool-age multilingual children with a speech and/or language disorder, or who have been identified as being at risk of language difficulties. However, there remains limited evidence for specific interventions as to their ability to inform evidence-based practices. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16632649.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Crowe
- School of Teacher Education, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia
- School of Health Sciences, Reykjavík, University of Iceland
| | - Sisan Cuervo
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati, OH
| | - Mark Guiberson
- College of Health Sciences, University of Wyoming, Laramie
| | - Karla N Washington
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, New York University, NY
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10
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Brignoni‐Pérez E, Matejko AA, Jamal NI, Eden GF. Functional neuroanatomy of arithmetic in monolingual and bilingual adults and children. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:4880-4895. [PMID: 34255408 PMCID: PMC8449110 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior studies on the brain bases of arithmetic have not focused on (or even described) their participants' language backgrounds. Yet, unlike monolinguals, early bilinguals have the capacity to solve arithmetic problems in both of their two languages. This raises the question whether this ability, or any other experience that comes with being bilingual, affects brain activity for arithmetic in bilinguals relative to monolinguals. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activity in 44 English monolinguals and 44 Spanish-English early bilinguals, during the solving of arithmetic problems in English. We used a factorial design to test for a main effect of bilingual Language Experience. Based on the known modulating roles of arithmetic operation and age, we used two arithmetic tasks (addition and subtraction) and studied two age groups (adults and children). When collapsing across operations and age, we found broad bilateral activation for arithmetic in both the monolingual group and the bilingual group. However, an analysis of variance revealed that there was no effect of Language Experience, nor an interaction of Language Experience with Operation or Age Group. Bayesian analyses within regions of interest chosen for their role in arithmetic further supported the finding of no effect of Language Experience on brain activity underlying arithmetic. We conclude that early bilingualism does not influence the functional neuroanatomy of simple arithmetic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Brignoni‐Pérez
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of PediatricsGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
- Interdisciplinary Program in NeuroscienceGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Anna A. Matejko
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of PediatricsGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Nasheed I. Jamal
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of PediatricsGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Guinevere F. Eden
- Center for the Study of Learning, Department of PediatricsGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
- Interdisciplinary Program in NeuroscienceGeorgetown UniversityWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
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Enke S, Gunzenhauser C, Hepach R, Karbach J, Saalbach H. Differences in cognitive processing? The role of verbal processes and mental effort in bilingual and monolingual children's planning performance. J Exp Child Psychol 2021; 213:105255. [PMID: 34388641 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Past research documents a bilingual advantage in the domain of executive functions (EFs). However, controversial debates have questioned the robustness of those behavioral differences. The current study aimed to better understand the underlying cognitive prerequisites in bilingual students as compared with monolingual students and focused on two processes: the role of verbal processes, on the one hand, and mental effort during task execution, on the other. The use of self-regulatory speech has been found to be related to performance in tasks requiring EFs. For bilinguals who have grown up with two language systems from an early age, those relations are not fully understood. Furthermore, results from neuroimaging studies have shown that bilinguals might exhibit less mental effort in EF tasks. We investigated both processes in German-speaking monolingual elementary school students (n = 33; Mage = 8.78 years) and German-Russian bilingual elementary school students (n = 34; Mage = 8.88 years) solving a planning task. Results showed that monolinguals were impaired by a verbal secondary task in comparison with a motor control condition, whereas bilinguals performed in both tasks at an equal level, indicating a differential role of self-regulatory speech in both language groups. Analyses of changes in pupil diameter revealed less mental effort during task execution for bilingual children as compared with monolingual children. The current study adds to the existing literature by supplying further evidence for cognitive differences between monolingual and bilingual children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Enke
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Catherine Gunzenhauser
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Faculty of Education, Freiburg University, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Robert Hepach
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Julia Karbach
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, 76829 Landau, Germany; Center for Research on Individual Development and Adaptive Education of Children at Risk (IDeA), 60323 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Henrik Saalbach
- Faculty of Education, Leipzig University, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Leipzig Research Center for Early Child Development, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
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Jafari Z, Perani D, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Bilingual experience and intrinsic functional connectivity in adults, aging, and Alzheimer's disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2021; 1505:8-22. [PMID: 34309857 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The past decade marked the beginning of the use of resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) imaging in bilingualism studies. This paper intends to review the latest evidence of changes in RSFC in language and cognitive control networks in bilinguals during adulthood, aging, and early Alzheimer's disease, which can add to our understanding of brain functional reshaping in the context of second language (L2) acquisition. Because of high variability in bilingual experience, recent studies mostly focus on the role of the main aspects of bilingual experience (age of acquisition (AoA), language proficiency, and language usage) on intrinsic functional connectivity (FC). Existing evidence accounts for stronger FC in simultaneous rather than sequential bilinguals in language and control networks, and the modulation of the AoA impact by language proficiency and usage. Studies on older bilingual adults show stronger FC in language and frontoparietal networks and preserved FC in posterior brain regions, which can protect the brain against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative processes. Altered RSFC in language and control networks subsequent to L2 training programs also is associated with improved global cognition in older adults. This review ends with a brief discussion of potential confounding factors in bilingualism research and conclusions and suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jafari
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniela Perani
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.,Nuclear Medicine Unit, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Bryan E Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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Mendis SB, Raymont V, Tabet N. Bilingualism: A Global Public Health Strategy for Healthy Cognitive Aging. Front Neurol 2021; 12:628368. [PMID: 33935937 PMCID: PMC8081826 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.628368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia is a global public health priority which cost global societies $818 billion in 2015 and is disproportionately impacting low and middle-income countries (LMICs). With limited availability of disease modifying drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), researchers have increasingly focused on preventative strategies which may promote healthy cognitive aging and mitigate the risk of cognitive impairment in aging. Lifelong bilingualism has been presented as both a highly debated and promising cognitive reserve factor which has been associated with better cognitive outcomes in aging. A recent metanalysis has suggested that bilingual individuals present on average 4.05 years later with the clinical features of AD than monolinguals. Bilinguals are also diagnosed with AD ~2.0 years later than monolingual counterparts. In this perspective piece we critically evaluate the findings of this metanalysis and consider the specific implications of these findings to LMICs. Furthermore, we appraise the major epidemiological studies conducted globally on bilingualism and the onset of dementia. We consider how both impactful and robust studies of bilingualism and cognition in older age may be conducted in LMICs. Given the limited expenditure and resources available in LMICs and minimal successes of clinical trials of disease modifying drugs we propose that bilingualism should be positioned as an important and specific public health strategy for maintaining healthy cognitive aging in LMICs. Finally, we reflect upon the scope of implementing bilingualism within the education systems of LMICs and the promotion of bilingualism as a healthy cognitive aging initiative within government policy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa Raymont
- Oxford Brain Health Clinical Trials Unit, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Naji Tabet
- Center for Dementia Studies, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, United Kingdom
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Jones SK, Davies-Thompson J, Tree J. Can Machines Find the Bilingual Advantage? Machine Learning Algorithms Find No Evidence to Differentiate Between Lifelong Bilingual and Monolingual Cognitive Profiles. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:621772. [PMID: 33828469 PMCID: PMC8019743 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.621772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilingualism has been identified as a potential cognitive factor linked to delayed onset of dementia as well as boosting executive functions in healthy individuals. However, more recently, this claim has been called into question following several failed replications. It remains unclear whether these contradictory findings reflect how bilingualism is defined between studies, or methodological limitations when measuring the bilingual effect. One key issue is that despite the claims that bilingualism yields general protection to cognitive processes (i.e., the cognitive reserve hypothesis), studies reporting putative bilingual differences are often focused on domain specific experimental paradigms. This study chose a broader approach, by considering the consequences of bilingualism on a wide range of cognitive functions within individuals. We utilised 19 measures of different cognitive functions commonly associated with bilingual effects, to form a "cognitive profile" for 215 non-clinical participants. We recruited Welsh speakers, who as a group of bilinguals were highly homogeneous, as means of isolating the bilingualism criterion. We sought to determine if such analyses would independently classify bilingual/monolingual participant groups based on emergent patterns driven by collected cognitive profiles, such that population differences would emerge. Multiple predictive models were trained to independently recognise the cognitive profiles of bilinguals, older adults (60-90 years of age) and higher education attainment. Despite managing to successfully classify cognitive profiles based on age and education, the model failed to differentiate between bilingual and monolingual cognitive ability at a rate greater than that of chance. Repeated modelling using alternative definitions of bilingualism, and just the older adults, yielded similar results. In all cases then, using our "bottom-up" analytical approach, there was no evidence that bilingualism as a variable indicated differential cognitive performance - as a consequence, we conclude that bilinguals are not cognitively different from their monolingual counterparts, even in older demographics. We suggest that studies that have reported a bilingual advantage (typically recruiting immigrant populations) could well have confounded other key variables that may be driving reported advantages. We recommend that future research refine the machine learning methods used in this study to further investigate the complex relationship between bilingualism and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Kyle Jones
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
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15
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Diego-Lázaro BD, Pittman A, Restrepo MA. Is Oral Bilingualism an Advantage for Word Learning in Children With Hearing Loss? JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2021; 64:965-978. [PMID: 33647222 DOI: 10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine whether oral bilingualism could be an advantage for children with hearing loss when learning new words. Method Twenty monolingual and 13 bilingual children with hearing loss were compared with each other and with 20 monolingual and 20 bilingual children with normal hearing on receptive vocabulary and on three word-learning tasks containing nonsense words in familiar (English and Spanish) and unfamiliar (Arabic) languages. We measured word learning on the day of the training and retention the next day using an auditory recognition task. Analyses of covariance were used to compare performance on the word learning tasks by language group (monolingual vs. bilingual) and hearing status (normal hearing vs. hearing loss), controlling for age and maternal education. Results No significant differences were observed between monolingual and bilingual children with and without hearing loss in any of the word-learning task. Children with hearing loss performed more poorly than their hearing peers in Spanish word retention and Arabic word learning and retention. Conclusions Children with hearing loss who grew up being exposed to Spanish did not show higher or lower word-learning abilities than monolingual children with hearing loss exposed to English only. Therefore, oral bilingualism was neither an advantage nor a disadvantage for word learning. Hearing loss negatively affected performance in monolingual and bilingual children when learning words in languages other than English (the dominant language). Monolingual and bilingual children with hearing loss are equally at risk for word-learning difficulties and vocabulary size matters for word learning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Pittman
- Department of Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
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16
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Kheder S, Kaan E. Cognitive control in bilinguals: Proficiency and code-switching both matter. Cognition 2021; 209:104575. [PMID: 33450440 DOI: 10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
We examined the impact of bilingualism as a construct of both language usage and language proficiency on the effectiveness of cognitive control. In particular, we asked whether the frequency of daily dense code-switching - frequent change of language within and between sentences with the same interlocutor- and the level of L2 proficiency separately and or interactively affect cognitive control efficiency in the Simon task. Results from 134 bilinguals showed that frequently code-switching bilinguals had fewer errors and their accuracy rate improved over trials leading to a smaller Simon effect. For response times (RTs), however, L2 proficiency modulated the Simon effect, and interacted with code-switching frequency in intricate ways in modulating overall RTs over trials. Crucially, highly proficient frequently code-switching bilinguals were better at conflict adaptation. These results show that bilinguals differ among themselves, and that researchers need to take both proficiency and language use into account to test the impact of bilingual experience on cognitive control. Bilingualism should be regarded as a continuum, with many different factors contributing to the language experience and affecting cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souad Kheder
- Department of Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Edith Kaan
- Department of Linguistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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17
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Rieker JA, Reales JM, Ballesteros S. The Effect of Bilingualism on Cue-Based vs. Memory-Based Task Switching in Older Adults. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 14:610548. [PMID: 33390921 PMCID: PMC7775305 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.610548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Findings suggest a positive impact of bilingualism on cognition, including the later onset of dementia. However, it is not clear to what extent these effects are influenced by variations in attentional control demands in response to specific task requirements. In this study, 20 bilingual and 20 monolingual older adults performed a task-switching task under explicit task-cuing vs. memory-based switching conditions. In the cued condition, task switches occurred in random order and a visual cue signaled the next task to be performed. In the memory-based condition, the task alternated after every second trial in a predictable sequence without presenting a cue. The performance of bilinguals did not vary across experimental conditions, whereas monolinguals experienced a pronounced increase in response latencies and error rates in the cued condition. Both groups produced similar switch costs (difference in performance on switch trials as opposed to repeating trials within the mixed-task block) and mixing costs (difference in performance on repeat trials of a mixed-task block as opposed to trials of a single-task block), but bilinguals produced them with lower response latencies. The cognitive benefits of bilingualism seem not to apply to executive functions per se but to affect specific cognitive processes that involve task-relevant context processing. The present results suggest that lifelong bilingualism could promote in older adults a flexible adjustment to environmental cues, but only with increased task demands. However, due to the small sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Rieker
- Studies on Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Basic Psychology II, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Reales
- Studies on Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Madrid, Spain.,Department Methodology of Behavioral Sciences, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Soledad Ballesteros
- Studies on Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Basic Psychology II, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Nacional, Madrid, Spain
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18
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Crowe K, Guiberson M. Professionals' Perspectives on Supporting Deaf Multilingual Learners and Their Families. JOURNAL OF DEAF STUDIES AND DEAF EDUCATION 2021; 26:70-84. [PMID: 32842153 DOI: 10.1093/deafed/enaa025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Parents frequently report that advice from professionals is important in making decisions about how their child with hearing loss will communicate. Little is currently known about how professionals support parents raising children with hearing loss in spoken language multilingual environments, children who are described as d/Deaf multilingual learners (DMLs). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain insight into professionals' perspectives and experiences working with such families, particularly in relation to supporting parents in decision-making about multilingualism and language choice. Nineteen professionals discussed their experiences working with DMLs and their families, the role of professionals in decision-making about multilingualism and language choice, and the factors that they considered were important when supporting DMLs and their families. Inductive thematic analysis yielded three themes: child characteristics (language, development), negotiating and supporting language (information, parents' language, role of language, timing, leadership, language management), and professional issues (knowledge, resources). This paper provides an important insight into professional considerations in supporting DMLs and their families, such as the role and functioning of evidence-based practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Crowe
- Charles Sturt University
- University of Iceland
- Rochester Institute of Technology
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19
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Liu H, Wu L. Lifelong Bilingualism Functions as an Alternative Intervention for Cognitive Reserve Against Alzheimer's Disease. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:696015. [PMID: 34366926 PMCID: PMC8339371 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.696015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilingualism has been reported to significantly delay the onset of dementia and plays an important role in the management of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a condition inducing impairment in the brain network and cognitive decline. Cognitive reserve is associated with the adaptive maintenance of neural functions by protecting against neuropathology. Bilingualism acts as a beneficial environmental factor contributing to cognitive reserve, although some potential confounding variables still need further elucidation. In this article, the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive reserve is discussed, interpreting the advantage of bilingualism in protecting against cognitive decline. In addition, the possible brain and biochemical mechanisms, supporting the advantageous effects of bilingualism in delaying the onset of dementia, involved in bilingualism are reviewed. Effectively, bilingualism can be considered as a pharmacological intervention with no side effects. However, the investigation of the pharmacological parameters of bilingualism is still at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqing Liu
- Department of Foreign Languages, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Longhuo Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
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20
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Active bilingualism delays the onset of mild cognitive impairment. Neuropsychologia 2020; 146:107528. [PMID: 32540266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Lifelong bilingualism may contribute to cognitive reserve (CR) in neurodegenerative diseases as shown by a delay of the age at symptom onset in bilinguals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, some studies have failed to show this bilingual advantage, suggesting that it might depend on the type and degree of bilingualism. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that active bilingualism, defined as the continuous use of the two languages as opposed to second language exposition only, may protect against cognitive decline. Moreover, we investigated whether bilingualism as a CR factor may be explained by an advantage within the executive control (EC) system. To do so, we collected clinical measures (age at onset of cognitive symptoms, age at the first medical visit for cognitive impairments, and age at diagnosis) in patients with MCI and patients with AD with different degrees of language experience and usage of Catalan and Spanish. Additionally, all participants were tested on four EC tasks and one long-term memory recognition task. First, results from multiple regression analyses showed that active bilingualism was a significant predictor of delay in the age at onset for all the clinical measures in MCI, but not AD patients. Second, the effect of active bilingualism was independent of occupation, educational level and job attainment across the individuals' lifespan. Finally, although we did not find an effect of active bilingualism across all EC tasks, we did find an effect for conflict resolution. These results are discussed in the context of CR hypotheses, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms may play a role in protecting against cognitive decline.
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21
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Nichols ES, Wild CJ, Stojanoski B, Battista ME, Owen AM. Bilingualism Affords No General Cognitive Advantages: A Population Study of Executive Function in 11,000 People. Psychol Sci 2020; 31:548-567. [PMID: 32310712 DOI: 10.1177/0956797620903113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Whether acquiring a second language affords any general advantages to executive function has been a matter of fierce scientific debate for decades. If being bilingual does have benefits over and above the broader social, employment, and lifestyle gains that are available to speakers of a second language, then it should manifest as a cognitive advantage in the general population of bilinguals. We assessed 11,041 participants on a broad battery of 12 executive tasks whose functional and neural properties have been well described. Bilinguals showed an advantage over monolinguals on only one test (whereas monolinguals performed better on four tests), and these effects all disappeared when the groups were matched to remove potentially confounding factors. In any case, the size of the positive bilingual effect in the unmatched groups was so small that it would likely have a negligible impact on the cognitive performance of any individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Nichols
- Faculty of Education, The University of Western Ontario.,The Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario
| | - Conor J Wild
- The Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario.,Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario
| | - Bobby Stojanoski
- The Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario.,Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario
| | | | - Adrian M Owen
- The Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario.,Department of Psychology, The University of Western Ontario.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario
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22
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Moreno-Stokoe CM, Damian MF. Employing Natural Control for Confounding Factors in the Hunt for the Bilingual Advantage in Attention: Evidence from School Children in Gibraltar. J Cogn 2020; 3:5. [PMID: 32211580 PMCID: PMC7082826 DOI: 10.5334/joc.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Does being bilingual convey a benefit in 'cognitive control'? Research on this question has been plagued by confounding geo-political factors which themselves might affect cognitive ability (e.g., Socio-Economic Status, immigration and culture). In the current study, we addressed this problem by exploring individuals of varying degrees of bilingualism from one and the same population, hence naturally controlling for confounding variables. The English/Spanish speaking population of Gibraltar share the same education, amenities, and culture on a very small landmass but vary in the degree to which they master multiple languages. We assessed the performance of 207 Gibraltarian children (9-10 yrs) on a battery of auditory attention tests and captured their degree of bilingualism via self-reported and 'objective' methods. We found at least 'moderate' evidence that measures of bilingualism cannot predict attentional ability. These results add to growing scepticism concerning the truthfulness of the claim that bilingualism conveys cognitive advantages.
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23
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Paap KR, Anders-Jefferson R, Zimiga B, Mason L, Mikulinsky R. Interference scores have inadequate concurrent and convergent validity: Should we stop using the flanker, Simon, and spatial Stroop tasks? COGNITIVE RESEARCH-PRINCIPLES AND IMPLICATIONS 2020; 5:7. [PMID: 32056032 PMCID: PMC7018919 DOI: 10.1186/s41235-020-0207-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Two-hundred one college undergraduates completed four nonverbal interference tasks (Simon, spatial Stroop, vertical Stroop, and flanker) and trait scales of self-control and impulsivity. Regression analyses tested 11 predictors of the composite interference scores derived from three of the four tasks and each task separately. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between laboratory measures of self-control, self-report measures, and the degree to which control might be related to extensive experience in activities that logically require self-control. RESULTS Fluid intelligence and sex were significant predictors of the composite measure, but bilingualism, music training, video gaming, mindfulness/meditation, self-control, impulsivity, SES, and physical exercise were not. CONCLUSIONS Common laboratory measures of inhibitory control do not correlate with self-reported measures of self-control or impulsivity and consequently appear to be measuring different constructs. Bilingualism, mindfulness/meditation, playing action video games, and music training or performance provide weak and inconsistent improvements to laboratory measures of interference control. Flanker, Simon, and spatial Stroop effects should not be used or interpreted as measures of domain-general inhibitory control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R Paap
- Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA.
| | | | - Brandon Zimiga
- Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Lauren Mason
- Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
| | - Roman Mikulinsky
- Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA
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24
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Novitskiy N, Shtyrov Y, Myachykov A. Conflict Resolution Ability in Late Bilinguals Improves With Increased Second-Language Proficiency: ANT Evidence. Front Psychol 2019; 10:2825. [PMID: 31920860 PMCID: PMC6934129 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental data supporting the claim that bilingual speakers have superior cognitive control abilities are often questioned with respect to certain methodological limitations. One such limitation is the use of between-group design, potentially confounding bilingual status with other factors (e.g., socioeconomic status). Here, we used a homogeneous sample of 57 young adult Russian-English late unbalanced bilinguals who were administrated Attention Network Task (ANT) together with an L2 proficiency task. We tested the correlation of L2 vocabulary performance with conflict and alertness measures and overall reaction times in ANT performance. Overall, participants demonstrated better conflict resolution with the increase in their second language competence, with 8% of variance in conflict resolution explained by L2 proficiency. Our results support the notion of regular correspondence between bilingualism and cognitive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Novitskiy
- Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China
- Brain and Mind Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, China
| | - Yury Shtyrov
- Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurodynamics, Saint Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Andriy Myachykov
- Centre for Cognition and Decision Making, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Psychology, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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25
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Crespo K, Gross M, Kaushanskaya M. The effects of dual language exposure on executive function in Spanish-English bilingual children with different language abilities. J Exp Child Psychol 2019; 188:104663. [PMID: 31446311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2019.104663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined the effects of dual language exposure on executive function in 5- to 11-year-old Spanish-English bilingual children with different language skills. Dual language exposure was measured via parent report and was operationalized as the proportion of time spent in an environment where both English and Spanish were present. Executive function was measured via the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task. Shifting costs, switching costs, and mixing costs were derived to index executive function performance. A significant interaction between extent of dual language exposure and language skills was observed such that children showed smaller shifting and mixing costs with increased dual language input as their language skills increased. The results suggest a graded effect of dual language exposure on executive function, where a robust language system may be required for dual language exposure to influence executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Crespo
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | - Megan Gross
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Margarita Kaushanskaya
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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26
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Paap KR, Myuz H, Anders-Jefferson R, Mason L, Zimiga B. On the ambiguity regarding the relationship between sequential congruency effects, bilingual advantages in cognitive control, and the disengagement of attention. AIMS Neurosci 2019; 6:282-298. [PMID: 32341984 PMCID: PMC7179349 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2019.4.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Grundy, Bialystok, and colleagues have reported that at short response-stimulus intervals bilinguals have smaller sequential congruency effects in flanker tasks compared to monolinguals. They interpret these differences to mean that bilinguals are more efficient at disengaging attentional control. Ten empirical studies are presented that show no differences between bilinguals and monolinguals under conditions that produced robust sequential congruency effects. These null results are discussed with respect to the rate at which sequential congruency effects dissipate and the fact these effects are not adaptive in the sense of improving overall performance. Arguments made by Goldsmith and Morton [1] that smaller sequential congruency effects should not be interpreted as "advantages" are extended. Evidence is also presented that neither simple congruency effects, nor sequential congruency effects, correlate across tasks. This lack of convergent validity is inconsistent with the hypothesis that either provides a measure of domain-general control that could underlie an advantage accrued through experience in switching languages. Results from other tasks purporting to show bilingual advantages in the disengagement of attention are also reviewed. We conclude that sequential congruency effects in nonverbal interference tasks and differences in the rate of disengaging attention are unlikely to contribute to our understanding of bilingual language control and that future research might productively examine differences in proactive rather than reactive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R. Paap
- Language, Attention, and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Hunter Myuz
- Department of Psychology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, United States
| | - Regina Anders-Jefferson
- Language, Attention, and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lauren Mason
- Language, Attention, and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brandon Zimiga
- Language, Attention, and Cognitive Engineering Laboratory, Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
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27
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López Zunini RA, Morrison C, Kousaie S, Taler V. Task switching and bilingualism in young and older adults: A behavioral and electrophysiological investigation. Neuropsychologia 2019; 133:107186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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28
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Nielsen TR, Antelius E, Waldemar G. Cognitive Advantages in Adult Turkish Bilingual Immigrants - a Question of the Chicken or the Egg. J Cross Cult Gerontol 2019; 34:115-129. [PMID: 31119462 DOI: 10.1007/s10823-019-09375-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A number of studies suggest both cognitive disadvantages and advantages of bilingualism. In the current study, it is attempted to provide an account of the cognitive advantages associated with bilingualism in a Turkish immigrant population in Denmark.The total sample consisted of 71 middle-aged and older adults born and raised in Turkey who had migrated to Denmark in their teenage years or later. All participants were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and degree of Turkish-Danish bilingualism was estimated via rater assessment according to a three-point scale. Associations between bilingualism and cognitive function were established for five cognitive domains: executive function, memory, language, visuospatial function and speed. Analysis of covariance was used to estimate the independent association between bilingualism and cognitive function for each cognitive domain. Covariates included education, gender, ethnicity, and proportion of life lived in Denmark. In unadjusted analyses, greater degree of bilingualism was associated with better executive functioning (p < .001), visuospatial functioning (p = .002) and speed (p < .001). However, in analyses adjusted for covariates only executive functioning (p = .01) and task switching ability (p = .01) remained significant, while a trend for better memory function was found in those with a high degree of bilingualism (p = .07).The current study indicates that bilingual Turkish immigrants have better executive functioning and episodic memory compared to Turkish immigrant monolinguals. Whether this is due to the effects of bilingualism or reflects inherent cognitive abilities in those able to acquire bilingualism in later life remains to be resolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Rune Nielsen
- Danish Dementia Research Center, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, section 6922, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Eleonor Antelius
- Center for Dementia Research, Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Gunhild Waldemar
- Danish Dementia Research Center, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, section 6922, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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29
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van den Noort M, Vermeire K, Bosch P, Staudte H, Krajenbrink T, Jaswetz L, Struys E, Yeo S, Barisch P, Perriard B, Lee SH, Lim S. A Systematic Review on the Possible Relationship Between Bilingualism, Cognitive Decline, and the Onset of Dementia. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 9:E81. [PMID: 31340609 PMCID: PMC6680432 DOI: 10.3390/bs9070081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A systematic review was conducted to investigate whether bilingualism has a protective effect against cognitive decline in aging and can protect against dementia. We searched the Medline, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ERIC databases with a cut-off date of 31 March, 2019, thereby following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol. Our search resulted in 34 eligible studies. Mixed results were found with respect to the protective effect of bilingualism against cognitive decline. Several studies showed a protective effect whereas other studies failed to find it. Moreover, evidence for a delay of the onset of dementia of between 4 and 5.5 years in bilingual individuals compared to monolinguals was found in several studies, but not in all. Methodological differences in the set-up of the studies seem to explain these mixed results. Lifelong bilingualism is a complex individual process, and many factors seem to influence this and need to be further investigated. This can be best achieved through large longitudinal studies with objective behavioral and neuroimaging measurements. In conclusion, although some evidence was found for a cognitive reserve-enhancing effect of lifelong bilingualism and protection against dementia, to date, no firm conclusions can be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurits van den Noort
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Vermeire
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
| | - Peggy Bosch
- Psychiatric Research Group, LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, 47511 Bedburg-Hau, Germany
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Heike Staudte
- Psychiatric Research Group, LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, 47511 Bedburg-Hau, Germany
| | - Trudy Krajenbrink
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Lars Jaswetz
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Esli Struys
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1050, Belgium
| | - Sujung Yeo
- College of Oriental Medicine, Sang Ji University, Wonju 26339, Korea
| | - Pia Barisch
- Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Benoît Perriard
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Sook-Hyun Lee
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Sabina Lim
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
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Gunzenhauser C, Karbach J, Saalbach H. Function of verbal strategies in monolingual vs. bilingual students’ planning performance: An experimental approach. COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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31
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van den Noort M, Struys E, Bosch P, Jaswetz L, Perriard B, Yeo S, Barisch P, Vermeire K, Lee SH, Lim S. Does the Bilingual Advantage in Cognitive Control Exist and If So, What Are Its Modulating Factors? A Systematic Review. Behav Sci (Basel) 2019; 9:E27. [PMID: 30871228 PMCID: PMC6466577 DOI: 10.3390/bs9030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, doubts were raised about the existence of the bilingual advantage in cognitive control. The aim of the present review was to investigate the bilingual advantage and its modulating factors. We searched the Medline, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and ERIC databases for all original data and reviewed studies on bilingualism and cognitive control, with a cut-off date of 31 October 2018, thereby following the guidelines of the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) protocol. The results of the 46 original studies show that indeed, the majority, 54.3%, reported beneficial effects of bilingualism on cognitive control tasks; however, 28.3% found mixed results and 17.4% found evidence against its existence. Methodological differences seem to explain these mixed results: Particularly, the varying selection of the bilingual participants, the use of nonstandardized tests, and the fact that individual differences were often neglected and that longitudinal designs were rare. Therefore, a serious risk for bias exists in both directions (i.e., in favor of and against the bilingual advantage). To conclude, we found some evidence for a bilingual advantage in cognitive control; however, if significant progress is to be made, better study designs, bigger data, and more longitudinal studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurits van den Noort
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Esli Struys
- Brussels Institute for Applied Linguistics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Peggy Bosch
- Psychiatric Research Group, LVR-Klinik Bedburg-Hau, 47511 Bedburg-Hau, Germany.
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Lars Jaswetz
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, 6525 Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Benoît Perriard
- Department of Medicine, Neurology, University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
| | - Sujung Yeo
- College of Oriental Medicine, Sang Ji University, Wonju 26339, Korea.
| | - Pia Barisch
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
| | - Katrien Vermeire
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
| | - Sook-Hyun Lee
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
| | - Sabina Lim
- Research Group of Pain and Neuroscience, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea.
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Elmer S, Hänggi J, Vaquero L, Cadena GO, François C, Rodríguez-Fornells A. Tracking the microstructural properties of the main white matter pathways underlying speech processing in simultaneous interpreters. Neuroimage 2019; 191:518-528. [PMID: 30831314 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the high linguistic and cognitive demands placed on real-time language translation, professional simultaneous interpreters (SIs) have previously been proposed to serve as a reasonable model for evaluating experience-dependent brain properties. However, currently it is still unknown whether intensive language training during adulthood might be reflected in microstructural changes in language-related white matter pathways contributing to sound-to-meaning mapping, auditory-motor integration, and verbal memory functions. Accordingly, we used a fully automated probabilistic tractography algorithm and compared the white matter microstructure of the bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), uncinate fasciculus (UF), and arcuate fasciculus (AF, long and anterior segments) between professional SIs and multilingual control participants. In addition, we classically re-evaluated the three constitutional elements of the AF (long, anterior, and posterior segments) using a deterministic manual dissection procedure. Automated probabilistic tractography demonstrated overall reduced mean fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased radial diffusivity (RD) in SIs in the fiber tracts of the left hemisphere (LH). Furthermore, SIs exhibited reduced mean FA in the bilateral AF. However, according to manual dissection, this effect was limited to the anterior AF segment and accompanied by increased mean RD. Deterministic AF reconstruction also uncovered increased mean FA in the right and RD in the left long AF segment in SIs compared to controls. These results point to a relationship between simultaneous interpreting and white matter organization of pathways underlying speech and language processing in the language-dominant LH as well as of the AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Elmer
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Jürgen Hänggi
- Division Neuropsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Lucía Vaquero
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cognition, Development and Education Pychology, University of Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron, 171, 08035, Barcelona, Spain; Laboratory of Motor learning and Neural Plasticity, Concordia University, 7141 Rue Sherbrooke West, H4B 1R6, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Guillem Olivé Cadena
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Campus Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Clément François
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Campus Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain; Aix Marseille University, CNRS, LPL, Aix-en-Provence, France.
| | - Antoni Rodríguez-Fornells
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Campus Bellvitge, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097, Barcelona, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, ICREA, 08010, Barcelona, Spain.
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Antón E, Carreiras M, Duñabeitia JA. The impact of bilingualism on executive functions and working memory in young adults. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0206770. [PMID: 30759096 PMCID: PMC6374013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A bilingual advantage in a form of a better performance of bilinguals in tasks tapping into executive function abilities has been reported repeatedly in the literature. However, recent research defends that this advantage does not stem from bilingualism, but from uncontrolled factors or imperfectly matched samples. In this study we explored the potential impact of bilingualism on executive functioning abilities by testing large groups of young adult bilinguals and monolinguals in the tasks that were most extensively used when the advantages were reported. Importantly, the recently identified factors that could be disrupting the between groups comparisons were controlled for, and both groups were matched. We found no differences between groups in their performance. Additional bootstrapping analyses indicated that, when the bilingual advantage appeared, it very often co-occurred with unmatched socio-demographic factors. The evidence presented here indicates that the bilingual advantage might indeed be caused by spurious uncontrolled factors rather than bilingualism per se. Secondly, bilingualism has been argued to potentially affect working memory also. Therefore, we tested the same participants in both a forward and a backward version of a visual and an auditory working memory task. We found no differences between groups in either of the forward versions of the tasks, but bilinguals systematically outperformed monolinguals in the backward conditions. The results are analysed and interpreted taking into consideration different perspectives in the domain-specificity of the executive functions and working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eneko Antón
- Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija; Madrid, Spain
- BCBL. Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language; Donostia, Spain
| | - Manuel Carreiras
- BCBL. Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language; Donostia, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science; Bilbao, Spain
- Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea–Universidad del País Vasco; Bilbao, Spain
| | - Jon Andoni Duñabeitia
- Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija; Madrid, Spain
- BCBL. Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language; Donostia, Spain
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Samuel S, Roehr‐Brackin K, Pak H, Kim H. Cultural Effects Rather Than a Bilingual Advantage in Cognition: A Review and an Empirical Study. Cogn Sci 2018; 42:2313-2341. [DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steven Samuel
- Department of Psychology University of Essex
- Department of Psychology University of Cambridge
| | | | | | - Hyunji Kim
- Faculty of Psychology University of Vienna
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35
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Paap KR, Anders-Jefferson R, Mason L, Alvarado K, Zimiga B. Bilingual Advantages in Inhibition or Selective Attention: More Challenges. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1409. [PMID: 30158887 PMCID: PMC6104566 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A large sample (N = 141) of college students participated in both a conjunctive visual search task and an ambiguous figures task that have been used as tests of selective attention. Tests for effects of bilingualism on attentional control were conducted by both partitioning the participants into bilinguals and monolinguals and by treating bilingualism as a continuous variable, but there were no effects of bilingualism in any of the tests. Bayes factor analyses confirmed that the evidence substantially favored the null hypothesis. These new findings mesh with failures to replicate language-group differences in congruency-sequence effects, inhibition-of-return, and working memory capacity. The evidence that bilinguals are better than monolinguals at attentional control is equivocal at best.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth R. Paap
- Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Del Maschio N, Sulpizio S, Gallo F, Fedeli D, Weekes BS, Abutalebi J. Neuroplasticity across the lifespan and aging effects in bilinguals and monolinguals. Brain Cogn 2018; 125:118-126. [PMID: 29990701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Evidence that bilingualism protects against age-related neurocognitive decline is mixed. One relatively consistent finding is that bilingual seniors have greater grey matter volume (GMV) in regions implicated in executive control (EC) and language processing. Here, we compare the neuroplastic effects of bilingual experience on the EC network of young and aging populations directly, and for the first time we evaluate the extent to which such effects may predict executive control performance across age. We used GMV as an index of neural reserve and response time (RT) performance on the Flanker task for measuring EC efficiency. In the presence of age-related widespread GM deterioration, bilinguals had greater GMV than monolinguals in key regions of interest across age. Moreover, whereas EC performance in monolingual seniors was strictly related to GMV, this was not observed for bilingual seniors or younger participants in either group. Interactions between expected effects-of-age and language group on the relationships between GMV and RT suggested that bilingualism affords differential benefits across the lifespan. In younger participants, greater GMV offered no behavioral benefit on EC performance, whilst it did for seniors. It thus appears that age-related cognitive decline following GMV loss in the EC network is delayed in bilinguals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Del Maschio
- Centre for Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics (CNPL), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Sulpizio
- Centre for Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics (CNPL), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Gallo
- Centre for Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics (CNPL), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Fedeli
- Centre for Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics (CNPL), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Brendan S Weekes
- Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jubin Abutalebi
- Centre for Neurolinguistics and Psycholinguistics (CNPL), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy; Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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Desideri L, Bonifacci P. Verbal and Nonverbal Anticipatory Mechanisms in Bilinguals. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLINGUISTIC RESEARCH 2018; 47:719-739. [PMID: 29305746 DOI: 10.1007/s10936-017-9556-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Empirical evidence collected so far has revealed that the bilingual advantage cannot be reduced to a single component of the executive functioning, and point to the need to understand the effects of bilingual experience on cognition as influencing a wider family of mental processes, including, but not limited to, cognitive control. The present study aims to explore a relatively underinvestigated domain of bilingual cognitive processes, namely anticipation, through a series of different paradigms tapping proactive and reactive mechanisms at different levels of cognitive complexity and linguistic components. The sample included 25 adult bilinguals ([Formula: see text] years) and 25 monolinguals ([Formula: see text] years) matched for age, gender, and non-verbal IQ. Participants were administered two experimental tasks: Attentional Network Task (ANT), and auditory picture-word identification task. Compared to monolinguals, bilinguals showed overall faster reaction times and reduced conflict effect on both the ANT and the picture-word identification task. In addition, associations between performances in the nonverbal and the verbal tasks support the role of the nonverbal monitoring component on verbal anticipation. Results are discussed in light of a dynamic interaction between proactive and reactive mechanisms of cognitive control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Desideri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat n.5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paola Bonifacci
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat n.5, 40127, Bologna, Italy
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38
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Hannaway N, Opitz B, Sauseng P. Exploring the bilingual advantage: manipulations of similarity and second language immersion in a Stroop task. Cogn Neurosci 2017; 10:1-12. [DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2017.1389874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Hannaway
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Bertram Opitz
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Paul Sauseng
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
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Klimova B, Valis M, Kuca K. Bilingualism as a strategy to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Clin Interv Aging 2017; 12:1731-1737. [PMID: 29089747 PMCID: PMC5656355 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s145397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to explore original studies which provide evidence about the effects of bilingualism on the delay of the onset of dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A literature review was conducted in the world’s acknowledged databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and MEDLINE. Altogether, 14 original studies focusing on the research topic were detected. These included six prospective cohort studies and eight retrospective studies. Both types of studies suggest different conclusions. The findings from the prospective cohort studies state that there is no association between bilingualism and the delay of the onset of AD, while the retrospective studies claim the opposite. Despite the negative results of the prospective cohort studies, more research should be conducted on bilingualism and its impact on the delay of the onset of AD, since the brain studies have brought positive findings as far as the enhancement of cognitive reserve is concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanka Klimova
- Department of Applied Linguistics, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove.,Department of Neurology
| | | | - Kamil Kuca
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Cubelli R, Della Sala S. Looking back to go forward: Promoting single case studies. Cortex 2017; 97:A1-A3. [PMID: 29110884 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2017.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cubelli
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences, University of Trento, Italy.
| | - Sergio Della Sala
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Seçer I. Skills of Cognitive Flexibility in Monolingual and Bilingual Younger Adults. The Journal of General Psychology 2017; 143:172-84. [PMID: 27410052 DOI: 10.1080/00221309.2016.1200530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined skills of cognitive flexibility and sustained attention in late bilingual and monolingual younger adults. One-hundred and sixty two younger adults aged between 18 and 34 years old (M = 22.39) classified as Turkish-English late bilinguals (N = 74) and Turkish monolinguals (N = 88) completed the Trail Making Test (TMT-A and TMT-B). Results from this study showed that Turkish-English late bilinguals had shorter RTs than Turkish monolinguals on the TMT-B, however there were no significant RT differences between the groups on the TMT-A. These findings indicate that bilingualism impacts upon skills of cognitive flexibility but not sustained attention and that the amount of practice in coordinating, monitoring, and switching between languages is an important determinant of cognitive improvement.
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42
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Jylkkä J, Soveri A, Wahlström J, Lehtonen M, Rodríguez-Fornells A, Laine M. Relationship between language switching experience and executive functions in bilinguals: an Internet-based study. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2017.1282489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jussi Jylkkä
- Department of Psychology, Abo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
| | - Anna Soveri
- Department of Psychology, Abo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
| | - Jenny Wahlström
- Department of Psychology, Abo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
| | - Minna Lehtonen
- Department of Psychology, Abo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
- Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Cognitive Science, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Matti Laine
- Department of Psychology, Abo Akademi University, Åbo, Finland
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43
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Reetzke R, Lam BPW, Xie Z, Sheng L, Chandrasekaran B. Effect of Simultaneous Bilingualism on Speech Intelligibility across Different Masker Types, Modalities, and Signal-to-Noise Ratios in School-Age Children. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168048. [PMID: 27936212 PMCID: PMC5148102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 11/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Recognizing speech in adverse listening conditions is a significant cognitive, perceptual, and linguistic challenge, especially for children. Prior studies have yielded mixed results on the impact of bilingualism on speech perception in noise. Methodological variations across studies make it difficult to converge on a conclusion regarding the effect of bilingualism on speech-in-noise performance. Moreover, there is a dearth of speech-in-noise evidence for bilingual children who learn two languages simultaneously. The aim of the present study was to examine the extent to which various adverse listening conditions modulate differences in speech-in-noise performance between monolingual and simultaneous bilingual children. To that end, sentence recognition was assessed in twenty-four school-aged children (12 monolinguals; 12 simultaneous bilinguals, age of English acquisition ≤ 3 yrs.). We implemented a comprehensive speech-in-noise battery to examine recognition of English sentences across different modalities (audio-only, audiovisual), masker types (steady-state pink noise, two-talker babble), and a range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs; 0 to -16 dB). Results revealed no difference in performance between monolingual and simultaneous bilingual children across each combination of modality, masker, and SNR. Our findings suggest that when English age of acquisition and socioeconomic status is similar between groups, monolingual and bilingual children exhibit comparable speech-in-noise performance across a range of conditions analogous to everyday listening environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Reetzke
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Boji Pak-Wing Lam
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Zilong Xie
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Li Sheng
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Bharath Chandrasekaran
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Institute for Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Cognitive Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
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Paap KR, Myuz HA, Anders RT, Bockelman MF, Mikulinsky R, Sawi OM. No compelling evidence for a bilingual advantage in switching or that frequent language switching reduces switch cost. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/20445911.2016.1248436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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45
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Calvo N, Ibáñez A, García AM. The Impact of Bilingualism on Working Memory: A Null Effect on the Whole May Not Be So on the Parts. Front Psychol 2016; 7:265. [PMID: 26941704 PMCID: PMC4766303 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Calvo
- Institute of Philosophy, School of Philosophy, Humanities and Arts, National University of San JuanSan Juan, Argentina; Faculty of Psychology, National University of CórdobaCórdoba, Argentina
| | - Agustín Ibáñez
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience, Institute of Translational and Cognitive Neuroscience, INECO Foundation, Favaloro UniversityBuenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research CouncilBuenos Aires, Argentina; Universidad Autónoma del CaribeBarranquilla, Colombia; Department of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo IbáñezSantiago, Chile; ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and its DisordersSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adolfo M García
- Laboratory of Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience, Institute of Translational and Cognitive Neuroscience, INECO Foundation, Favaloro UniversityBuenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research CouncilBuenos Aires, Argentina; UDP-INECO Foundation Core on Neuroscience, Diego Portales UniversitySantiago, Chile; Faculty of Elementary and Special Education, National University of CuyoMendoza, Argentina
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The importance of bilingual experience in assessing bilingual advantages in executive functions. Cortex 2016; 75:237-240. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2015.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Revised: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Watson CWM, Manly JJ, Zahodne LB. Does bilingualism protect against cognitive aging?: Methodological issues in research on bilingualism, cognitive reserve, and dementia incidence. LINGUISTIC APPROACHES TO BILINGUALISM 2016; 6:590-604. [PMID: 30505373 PMCID: PMC6263976 DOI: 10.1075/lab.15043.wat] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies of bilingualism as a protective factor in cognitive aging have reported conflicting findings, and researchers have begun to explore the methodological complications that may explain differences across studies. This article details the current research landscape and addresses several issues relevant to the study of bilingualism and late-life cognitive function: study design, establishing causal relationships, confounding factors, operationalizing bilingualism, predicting cognitive level versus cognitive change, and incorporating brain structural variables to interrogate cognitive reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Wei-Ming Watson
- Columbia University Medical Center, Neurology, Clinical Research Coordinator, 630 West 168th Street, P&S Box 16, New York, 10032, UNITED STATES
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