Being Bilingual May Delay Dementia

Speaking 2 or more languages may help delay dementia, a new study suggests. The study focused on 648 people from India. They had been diagnosed with various types of dementia. Of this group, 391 spoke at least 2 languages. They had developed symptoms of dementia an average of 4 years later than those who spoke only a single language. This delay was not related to education. It applied even to people who spoke 2 languages but could not read either of them. There was no added benefit from speaking 3 languages, researchers said. Prior research has found other factors that are linked with delays in dementia. They include more education, higher-status jobs or more thinking challenges in everyday life. Researchers say all of these things lead to greater “cognitive reserve.” This reserve allows the brain to function normally despite disease or injury.