The Contribution of Bilingualism to Cognitive Functioning and Regional Brain Volume in Normal and Abnormal Aging

Abstract We examined the association between bilingualism, executive function (EF), and brain volume in older monolinguals bilinguals who spoke English, Spanish, or both, were cognitively normal (CN) diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) dementia. Gray matter (GMV) was higher language EF regions among bilinguals, but no differences found memory regions. Neuropsychological performance did not vary across groups over time; however, exhibited reduced Stroop interference lower scores on Digit Span Backwards category fluency. Higher associated a younger age of English acquisition, greater degree balanced bilingualism The initial cognitive decline differ groups. influence appears to be reflected increased GMV regions, lesser degree, EF.