Chapter 1
The physical remodel of your gray matter
Chapter 2
The bilingual cognitive shield
Chapter 3
The mental shift of multilingual minds
Chapter 4
The lifelong journey of the neural landscape
YOUR GOAL
Master of Your brain on bilingualism
Ch 2 · The bilingual cognitive shield
duolingo The Bilingual Cognitive Shield
Speaking two languages shields your brain—(shields your brain!)—delaying decline for five more years! (five more years!)
duolingo A brain graphic shows forty percent bilingual recovery versus twenty percent monolingual recovery.
duolingo Neon neural pathways map alternative detour routes across a dark holographic brain model.
Fun Fact
Dementia delay: Lifelong bilingualism has been shown to delay the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms by four to five years, outperforming many current medications.
Glossary
cognitive reserve (noun)
The brain's resilience to neuropathological damage, enabling it to maintain normal function despite aging or disease. In 2007, psychologist Ellen Bialystok found that bilingual patients showed dementia symptoms four years later than monolinguals.
The brain's resilience to neuropathological damage, enabling it to maintain normal function despite aging or disease. In 2007, psychologist Ellen Bialystok found that bilingual patients showed dementia symptoms four years later than monolinguals.
Quiz
Which region of the brain is primarily responsible for the executive control system, which manages focus and planning?
Quiz
What is the term for the brain's ability to build alternative pathways to bypass damaged tissue?
Quiz
How did the recovery rate of bilingual stroke patients compare to monolingual patients in the 2015 study?
Quiz
In the 2015 Indian stroke study, what percentage of bilingual patients recovered normal cognitive functions?
Quiz
Which researcher led the landmark study in Toronto that revealed bilinguals show dementia symptoms much later in life?
Quiz
Why does managing two languages give the executive control system a continuous mental workout?