A recent study shows that persons who
know a second language have significantly later onset of dementia than those
who speak only one language.
Previous research had suggested that a
person's level of education directly correlated with the age that dementia
began, with the most highly educated individuals having later onset dementia. However,
this study included geriatric patients who were illiterate, eliminating formal
education as a factor, and putting the focus on second language skills.
In the test group of approximately 650
patients, knowing a second language delayed the start of dementia by an average
of 6 years.
The patients studied suffered from various
forms of dementia including Alzheimer's disease.
The study, reported in Neurology, can
be accessed here:
