
Being fluent in two languages may help to keep the brain sharper for longer, a study suggests. Researchers from York University in Canada carried out tests on 104 people between the ages of 30 and 88. They found that those who were fluent in two languages rather than just one were sharper mentally. Writing in the journal of Psychology and Ageing, they said being bilingual may protect against mental decline in old age. Previous studies have shown that keeping the brain active can protect against senile dementia.
("...keep the brain sharper..." Tenere il cervello più tagliente. Chiaramente un modo di dire. Spesso in inglese si usa l'aggettivo "sharp" per parlare di acutezza mentale.)
Education in general can bestow benefits on cognitive function in later life Professor Clive Ballard, Alzheimer's Society Research has shown that people who play musical instruments, dance or read regularly may be less likely to develop the condition. Other activities like doing crosswords or playing board games may also help.
("Education..." non vuole dire l'educazione. "Education" significa la formazione scholastica. Per dire "educazione" in inglese bisogna dire "politeness" or "good manners.")
Language skills This latest study appears to back up the theory that language skills also have a protective effect. The researchers also found that the bilingual volunteers were much less likely to suffer from the mental decline associated with old age. "The bilinguals were more efficient at all ages tested and showed a slower rate of decline for some processes with aging," they said. "It appears...that bilingualism helps to offset age-related losses." The UK's Alzheimer's Society welcomed the study. "It is also well recognised that education in general can bestow benefits on cognitive function in later life."