Chapter 11. Bilingualism, cognitive reserve, aging, and dementia
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Alexandre Chauvin
Abstract
Research investigating the contribution of bilingualism to cognitive reserve has produced mixed findings. Previous reviews and commentaries have explored potential reasons for the inconsistent findings across studies, including language status, participant characteristics, and immigration-related variables. This chapter addresses several questions that have received relatively less attention. Specifically, in this chapter we aim to clarify the relationship between brain function and structure within a reserve framework (including data from our lab examining regional cortical thickness in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease). We also review the impact of bilingualism on memory functioning, and examine theoretical and practical issues (such as trajectory of change in cognitive function) surrounding the cognitive reserve hypothesis. We end by discussing the potential for -and practicalities of- using Big Data initiatives to contribute insight into the role of bilingualism in cognitive reserve and brain function.
Abstract
Research investigating the contribution of bilingualism to cognitive reserve has produced mixed findings. Previous reviews and commentaries have explored potential reasons for the inconsistent findings across studies, including language status, participant characteristics, and immigration-related variables. This chapter addresses several questions that have received relatively less attention. Specifically, in this chapter we aim to clarify the relationship between brain function and structure within a reserve framework (including data from our lab examining regional cortical thickness in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease). We also review the impact of bilingualism on memory functioning, and examine theoretical and practical issues (such as trajectory of change in cognitive function) surrounding the cognitive reserve hypothesis. We end by discussing the potential for -and practicalities of- using Big Data initiatives to contribute insight into the role of bilingualism in cognitive reserve and brain function.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. The importance of bilingualism for the aging brain 1
- Chapter 2. Cognitive problems in older adults 9
- Chapter 3. How aging and bilingualism influence language processing 21
- Chapter 4. Length of residence 55
- Chapter 5. Individual differences in cognitive control advantages of elderly late Dutch-English bilinguals 77
- Chapter 6. Does bilingual language control decline in older age? 99
- Chapter 7. Auditory word recognition across the lifespan 131
- Chapter 8. Executive control processes in verbal and nonverbal working memory 161
- Chapter 9. Bilingualism, cognitive reserve and Alzheimer’s disease 185
- Chapter 10. The effect of language skills on dementia in a Swedish longitudinal cohort 205
- Chapter 11. Bilingualism, cognitive reserve, aging, and dementia 219
- Chapter 12. The impact of bilingualism on cognitive ageing and dementia 243
- Chapter 13. History-inspired reflections on the Bilingual Advantages Hypothesis 265
- Index 297
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Chapter 1. The importance of bilingualism for the aging brain 1
- Chapter 2. Cognitive problems in older adults 9
- Chapter 3. How aging and bilingualism influence language processing 21
- Chapter 4. Length of residence 55
- Chapter 5. Individual differences in cognitive control advantages of elderly late Dutch-English bilinguals 77
- Chapter 6. Does bilingual language control decline in older age? 99
- Chapter 7. Auditory word recognition across the lifespan 131
- Chapter 8. Executive control processes in verbal and nonverbal working memory 161
- Chapter 9. Bilingualism, cognitive reserve and Alzheimer’s disease 185
- Chapter 10. The effect of language skills on dementia in a Swedish longitudinal cohort 205
- Chapter 11. Bilingualism, cognitive reserve, aging, and dementia 219
- Chapter 12. The impact of bilingualism on cognitive ageing and dementia 243
- Chapter 13. History-inspired reflections on the Bilingual Advantages Hypothesis 265
- Index 297
