Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt and build connections within itself in response to the environment. It is most pronounced in childhood, when the brain is forming new pathways in reaction to stimuli such as language. Previous research has shown that learning a second language can have a positive impact on attention, healthy aging, and recovery after brain injury. A new study from The Neuro, McGill University, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Zaragoza in Spain delves deeper into the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, showing increased efficiency of communication between brain regions.
The study involved 151 participants who were either monolingual or bilingual in French and English. The researchers recorded the age at which the participants learned their second language and conducted resting-state functional MRI scans to measure whole-brain connectivity. The results revealed that bilingual participants had increased connectivity between brain regions compared to monolingual participants, with stronger connectivity observed in those who learned their second language at a younger age. Specifically, there was a significant increase in connectivity between the cerebellum and the left frontal cortex.
These findings align with previous research indicating that different brain regions do not work in isolation but interact with each other to understand and produce language. Additionally, research has shown that whole-brain efficiency is linked to cognitive performance. The study sheds more light on how bilingualism impacts the brain connections involved in thinking, communication, and experiencing the world around us.
The lead author of the study, Zeus Gracia Tabuenca, commented on the results, stating that learning a second language during childhood helps create a more efficient brain organization in terms of functional connectivity. The study suggests that the earlier the exposure to a second language, the broader the extent of brain areas involved in neuroplasticity. This explains the higher connectivity observed between the cerebellum and the cortex in individuals who learned their second language at a younger age.
The research was funded by various organizations, including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Blema and Arnold Steinberg Family Foundation, Brain Canada, and the European Union’s NextGeneration programme, among others. The findings of the study highlight the significant impact of bilingualism on brain connectivity and underscore the importance of early exposure to a second language in promoting neuroplasticity and cognitive performance.