Speaking Two Languages Can Delay Alzheimer’s

OTTAWA – Canada – Scientists in Canada have discovered that people who speak two or more languages can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms by as much as five years.

Clinical records of 211 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease where reviewed by researchers of the Rotman Research Institute in Baycrest, Canada, and consistently, evidence showed that those patients who spoke two or more languages over many years experienced a delay in the onset of their symptoms by as long as five years.

Lead investigator Fergus Craik said about the discovery:

“We are not claiming that bilingualism in any way prevents Alzheimer’s or other dementia, but it may contribute to cognitive reserve in the brain which appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms for quite some time.”

The research team discovered that regardless of language skills, the subjects’ brains still showed deterioration from Alzheimer’s.  However, those individuals that consistently spoke two or more languages, showed a remarkably long delay in symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulties with problem-solving and planning.

An earlier study conducted in 2007 by Ellen Bialystok of York University had already discovered that bilingual dementia patients experienced a delayed onset of their symptoms compared to monolingual patients.

At present there are no medications or surgeries available to reverse the illness.  Still, findings suggest that keeping the brain “stimulated” continuously, such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and speaking two or more languages, seems to aid in delaying the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

But doctors warn:

“Although a great deal of research is being focused on the development of new and more effective medications for Alzheimer’s disease, there are currently no drug treatments that show any effects on delaying Alzheimer’s symptoms, let alone delaying the onset of these symptoms by up to five years,” said Dr. Freedman, head of Neurology and director of the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic at Baycrest.

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