Does bilingualism contribute to cognitive reserve? Cognitive and neural perspectives

Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez; Daniel Tranel

doi:10.1037/neu0000105

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Does bilingualism contribute to cognitive reserve? Cognitive and neural perspectives

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Does bilingualism contribute to cognitive reserve? Cognitive and neural perspectives

Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez and Daniel Tranel

Neuropsychology, Vol.29(1), pp.139-150

01/2015

DOI: 10.1037/neu0000105

PMCID: PMC4353628

PMID: 24933492

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Abstract

Cognitive reserve refers to how individuals actively utilize neural resources to cope with neuropathology to maintain cognitive functioning. The present review aims to critically examine the literature addressing the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive reserve to elucidate whether bilingualism delays the onset of cognitive and behavioral manifestations of dementia. Potential neural mechanisms behind this relationship are discussed. PubMed and PsycINFO databases were searched (through January 2014) for original research articles in English or Spanish languages. The following search strings were used as keywords for study retrieval: "bilingual AND reserve," "reserve AND neural mechanisms," and "reserve AND multilingualism." Growing scientific evidence suggests that lifelong bilingualism contributes to cognitive reserve and delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease symptoms, allowing bilingual individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease to live an independent and richer life for a longer time than their monolingual counterparts. Lifelong bilingualism is related to more efficient use of brain resources that help individuals maintain cognitive functioning in the presence of neuropathology. We propose multiple putative neural mechanisms through which lifelong bilinguals cope with neuropathology. The roles of immigration status, education, age of onset, proficiency, and frequency of language use on the relationship between cognitive reserve and bilingualism are considered. Implications of these results for preventive practices and future research are discussed.

Alzheimer Disease - physiopathology

Multilingualism

Dementia - psychology

Brain - physiopathology

Humans

Male

Cognition

Educational Status

Alzheimer Disease - pathology

Neuropsychological Tests

Confounding Factors (Epidemiology)

Language

Alzheimer Disease - prevention & control

Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology

Age of Onset

Brain - pathology

Cognitive Reserve

Female

Dementia - prevention & control

Alzheimer Disease - psychology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Does bilingualism contribute to cognitive reserve? Cognitive and neural perspectives
Creators: Edmarie Guzmán-Vélez - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa
Daniel Tranel - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Neuropsychology, Vol.29(1), pp.139-150
DOI: 10.1037/neu0000105
PMID: 24933492
PMCID: PMC4353628
NLM abbreviation: Neuropsychology
ISSN: 0894-4105
eISSN: 1931-1559
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); United States
Grant note: P01 NS019632 / NINDS NIH HHS P01 NS19632 / NINDS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/2015
Academic Unit: Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984002357802771

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