Active bilingualism delays the onset of mild cognitive impairment
Por:
Calabria, M, Hernandez, M, Cattaneo, G, Suades, A, Serra, M, Juncadella, M, Rene, R, Sala, I, Lleo, A, Ortiz-Gil, J, Ugas, L, Avila, A, Ruiz, IG, Avila, C, Costa, A
Publicada:
1 sep 2020
Ahead of Print:
12 jun 2020
Resumen:
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.
Filiaciones:
Calabria, M:
Pompeu Fabra Univ, Ctr Brain & Cognit, Barcelona, Spain
Univ Oberta Catalunya, Fac Hlth Sci, Rambla del Poblenou 156, Barcelona 08018, Spain
Hernandez, M:
Univ Barcelona, Inst Neurociencies, Dept Cognit Dev & Educ Psychol, Cognit & Brain Plast Grp, Barcelona, Spain
Cattaneo, G:
Inst Univ Neurorehabil Adscrit UAB, Inst Guttmann, Badalona, Spain
Inst Invest Biomed August Pi & Sunyer IDIBAP, Barcelona, Spain
Suades, A:
Fundacio Neurorehabil & Recerca Cognit, ENTIA, Barcelona, Spain
Bellvitge Univ Hosp, Funct Dementia Unit, Lhospitalet De Llobregat, Spain
Serra, M:
Pompeu Fabra Univ, Ctr Brain & Cognit, Barcelona, Spain
Juncadella, M:
Fundacio Neurorehabil & Recerca Cognit, ENTIA, Barcelona, Spain
Bellvitge Univ Hosp, Funct Dementia Unit, Lhospitalet De Llobregat, Spain
Rene, R:
Bellvitge Univ Hosp, Funct Dementia Unit, Lhospitalet De Llobregat, Spain
Sala, I:
Hosp Santa Creu & Sant Pau, Memory Unit, Neurol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Lleo, A:
Hosp Santa Creu & Sant Pau, Memory Unit, Neurol Dept, Barcelona, Spain
Ortiz-Gil, J:
Hosp Gen Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
FIDMAG Sisters Hosp Res Fdn, Barcelona, Spain
Ugas, L:
Hosp Gen Granollers, Barcelona, Spain
Hosp Benito Menni, CASM, Barcelona, Spain
Avila, A:
Hosp Moises Broggi, Neurol Dept, Consorci Sanitari Integral, Barcelona, Spain
Ruiz, IG:
Hosp Moises Broggi, Neurol Dept, Consorci Sanitari Integral, Barcelona, Spain
Avila, C:
Univ Jaume 1, Dept Basic Psychol Clin Psychol & Psychobiol, Neuropsychol & Funct Imaging Grp, Castellon de La Plana, Spain
Costa, A:
Pompeu Fabra Univ, Ctr Brain & Cognit, Barcelona, Spain
Inst Catalana Recerca & Estudis Avancats ICREA, Barcelona, Spain
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