Does Second Language Learning Promote Neuroplasticity in Aging? A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Neuroimaging Studies

Ware, Caitlin; Dautricourt, Sophie; Gonneaud, Julie; Chételat, Gaël

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.706672

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…Other caveats of previous studies are that most had no follow-up period ( Ramos et al, 2017 ; Ware et al, 2017 ; Pfenninger and Polz, 2018 ; Bubbico et al, 2019 ; Valis et al, 2019 ; Berggren et al, 2020 ; Long et al, 2020 ; Meltzer et al, 2021 ) and did not exclude participants with suspected cognitive impairment ( Bak et al, 2016 ; Ramos et al, 2017 ; Ware et al, 2017 ; Pfenninger and Polz, 2018 ; Long et al, 2020 ; Meltzer et al, 2021 ). For a more detailed summary and discussion of the current body of research, see the literature reviews of Pot et al (2019) and Ware et al (2021) .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foreign language learning can improve response inhibition in individuals with lower baseline cognition: Results from a randomized controlled superiority trial

Grossmann

Aschenbrenner

Teichmann

et al. 2023

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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IntroductionThe world’s population is aging, increasing the prevalence of dementia. Recently, foreign language learning in later life has been suggested to improve cognition and thus support healthy cognitive aging. To date, however, there are only a few studies with conflicting findings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether learning a foreign language can improve executive attention and executive functions in healthy older adults. Additionally, we sought to identify factors affecting cognitive change in foreign language learners, such as cognitive reserve, previous foreign knowledge and usage, and global cognition at baseline.MethodsIn a randomized-controlled trial, we assigned 34 monolinguals between the ages of 65 and 80 to a language learning or a waiting list control group. The participants enrolled in a Spanish course for beginners that met five days a week for 1.5 h for a total of 3 weeks. The waiting list control group received no intervention but had the opportunity to join the language training at the end of the study. All participants underwent an assessment of executive attention (primary outcome), executive functions, verbal fluency, and attention (secondary outcomes) before, immediately after the course, or after a waiting period of 3 weeks for the control group and 3 months after the course or the waiting period.ResultsForeign language learning did not significantly improve primary or secondary outcomes, neither immediately nor 3 months after the course. However, moderation analyses revealed that participants with lower global baseline cognition tended to improve more on response inhibition than individuals with higher baseline cognition. This relationship was not evident in the waiting list control group.DiscussionOur results suggest that studying a foreign language does not generally improve executive attention or executive functioning. Nevertheless, individuals with poorer baseline cognition may benefit cognitively from foreign language learning in response inhibition, a domain particularly affected by cognitive aging. Our findings highlight the need of focusing dementia prevention efforts on groups that are more vulnerable to cognitive decline. Additionally, more individualized approaches, including utilizing technology-assisted learning, might enable participants to practice at their performance level, increasing the likelihood of discernible cognitive gains.Clinical trial registrationhttps://drks.de/search/en, identifier DRKS00016552.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foreign language learning can improve response inhibition in individuals with lower baseline cognition: Results from a randomized controlled superiority trial

Grossmann

Aschenbrenner

Teichmann

et al. 2023

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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“…These brain regions were selected as they are known to be particularly sensitive both to aging and to meditation practice (see Introduction and Lutz et al). The ACC was expected to be modified by both interventions (compared with no intervention), as this structure is considered a brain signature of cognitive reserve and brain maintenance in general, and to be more resistant to aging with bilingual experience in particular . In contrast, the insula was expected to be modified specifically in the meditation compared with the non-native language training group, given its role in emotional and empathic processing …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of an 18-Month Meditation Training on Regional Brain Volume and Perfusion in Older Adults

et al. 2022

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ImportanceNo lifestyle-based randomized clinical trial directly targets psychoaffective risk factors of dementia. Meditation practices recently emerged as a promising mental training exercise to foster brain health and reduce dementia risk.ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of meditation training on brain integrity in older adults.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsAge-Well was a randomized, controlled superiority trial with blinded end point assessment. Community-dwelling cognitively unimpaired adults 65 years and older were enrolled between November 24, 2016, and March 5, 2018, in France. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to (1) an 18-month meditation-based training, (2) a structurally matched non-native language (English) training, or (3) no intervention arm. Analysis took place between December 2020 and October 2021.InterventionsMeditation and non-native language training included 2-hour weekly group sessions, practice of 20 minutes or longer daily at home, and 1-day intensive practices.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPrimary outcomes included volume and perfusion of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and insula. Main secondary outcomes included a global composite score capturing metacognitive, prosocial, and self-regulatory capacities and constituent subscores.ResultsAmong 137 participants (mean [SD] age, 69.4 [3.8] years; 83 [60.6%] female; 54 [39.4%] male) assigned to the meditation (n = 45), non-native language training (n = 46), or no intervention (n = 46) groups, all but 1 completed the trial. There were no differences in volume changes of ACC (0.01 [98.75% CI, −0.02 to 0.05]; P = .36) or insula (0.01 [98.75% CI, −0.02 to 0.03]; P = .58) between meditation and no intervention or non-native language training groups, respectively. Differences in perfusion changes did not reach statistical significance for meditation compared with no intervention in ACC (0.02 [98.75% CI, −0.01 to 0.05]; P = .06) or compared with non-native language training in insula (0.02 [98.75% CI, −0.01 to 0.05]; P = .09). Meditation was superior to non-native language training on 18-month changes in a global composite score capturing attention regulation, socioemotional, and self-knowledge capacities (Cohen d, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.19-0.85]; P = .002).Conclusions and RelevanceThe study findings confirm the feasibility of meditation and non-native language training in elderly individuals, with high adherence and very low attrition. Findings also show positive behavioral effects of meditation that were not reflected on volume, and not significantly on perfusion, of target brain areas.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02977819

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“…Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are 32 considered the most common neurodegenerative dis-33 orders, with an estimated prevalence of 10-30% in the 34 global population over 65 years of age [1]. Demen-and semantic memory [18,19]. Moreover, they posit that learning a foreign language could have important social implications, as gaining access to a second language could facilitate communication with foreigners and increase travel opportunities [19,20].…”

Section: Introduction 31mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Demen-and semantic memory [18,19]. Moreover, they posit that learning a foreign language could have important social implications, as gaining access to a second language could facilitate communication with foreigners and increase travel opportunities [19,20]. Furthermore, intensive foreign language learning has been proven to improve participants' attention skills compared to control groups that do not learn a non-native language [21].…”

Section: Introduction 31mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Antoniou et al (2013) suggest that learning a foreign language could improve cognitive plasticity in older adults with cognitive decline, as this type of learning requires the use of extensive neural networks, soliciting working memory, inductive reasoning, sound discrimination, speech segmentation, task switching, rule learning, and semantic memory [ 18, 19 ]. Moreover, they posit that learning a foreign language could have important social implications, as gaining access to a second language could facilitate communication with foreigners and increase travel opportunities [ 19, 20 ]. Furthermore, intensive foreign language learning has been proven to improve participants’ attention skills compared to control groups that do not learn a non-native language [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Novel Method of Teaching English to People with Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Songs: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

Makri

Christakidou

Tsolaki

2023

JAD

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Background: People with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) need to prevent the further decline of their cognitive functions, and one way to do so is by learning a foreign language. Objective: This study describes the development of a protocol for a novel, non-pharmacological intervention for people with MCI that seeks to prevent or reduce cognitive decline by teaching English through songs. Methods: The development of this protocol follows a mixed-methodology approach, consisting of three stages: 1) development of the protocol of the intervention, 2) a randomized controlled trial study with two arms over six months that includes an intervention group and a control group, and 3) the evaluation of the protocol by trainers. In the second stage, we recruited a total of 128 people with MCI from the five participating countries of this study (Greece, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy). This educational program will assess three main outcomes after 6 months of the English Lessons with the Use of Songs for People with Mild Cognitive Impairment (E.L.So.M.C.I.) workshops. Results: Our primary outcome will hopefully be an improvement in general cognition in the intervention group compared to the control group from baseline to 6 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes include a decrease in participants’ anxiety and depression and an improvement in their quality of life. Development of English language skills is the third outcome.

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Does Second Language Learning Promote Neuroplasticity in Aging? A Systematic Review of Cognitive and Neuroimaging Studies

Cited by 11 publications

References 82 publications

Foreign language learning can improve response inhibition in individuals with lower baseline cognition: Results from a randomized controlled superiority trial

Foreign language learning can improve response inhibition in individuals with lower baseline cognition: Results from a randomized controlled superiority trial

Effect of an 18-Month Meditation Training on Regional Brain Volume and Perfusion in Older Adults

A Novel Method of Teaching English to People with Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Songs: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol

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