Science
Learning a second language during infancy has been highly studied in the scientific community and is known to increase brainpower. A study suggests this brainpower boost can be seen in anyone who learns a new language, even after the age of 10, reports Daily Mail.
Christos Pliatsikas and colleagues, from the School of Psychology at the University of Kent and Center for Integrative Neruoscience and Neurodynamics, School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, conducted a study to investigate what happens to the structure of the brain when a language is learned later in life.
The researchers compared brain scans from two groups of people, all around the age of 30 years old. The first group consisted of 20 people that began learning English as a second language at about age 10. The second group had 25 participants who only learned and spoke English.
They found that the structure of white matter in the brain was different in the two groups of participants. White matter is composed of bundles of nerve cells. Is the part of the brain that affects how the brain learns and functions. It also coordinates communication between different brain regions.
"Everyday handling of more than one language functions as an intensive cognitive stimulation that benefits specific language-related brain structures by preserving their integrity, and therefore it protects them against deterioration in older age," said the study led by Christos Pliatsikas of the University of Kent School of Psychology.
Scientists say they will need to perform more research to pinpoint exactly when the brain changes take place. This research can lead to advances for a number of people suffering from mental decline, including dementia.
Email Alerts
MORE FROM FASHION TIMES CO
fashiontimes
The French Women’s Ready-to-Wear Federation Is Launching A Paris Trade Show
beautyworldnews
Cate Blanchett Reveals Her Secret For A Glowing Complexion
fashiontimes
Jean Paul Gaultier To Participate In Paris Charity Fashion Show
beautyworldnews
Anna Kendrick Shares Her Beauty Routine: Thinks Manicures Are Torture!
fashionnstyle
'Transparent' Wins Best Drama At The Golden Globes
fashionnstyle
Lorde, Taylor Swift Collaboration On The Way? 'Royals' Singer Reveals Her Thoughts
Open all references in tabs: [1 - 10]