Keep your brain sharp – it's the most important tool that you should avoid mental decrease.
It has been shown that games, puzzles, and cross words reduce the risk of dementia, a nerve degenerative condition that affects approximately 7 million Americans.
Studies also indicate that speaking in another language can do more than just like when ordering Mexican food – this may delay the beginning of dementia.
“What appears constantly is that the elderly who speak more than one language have clear advantages against dementia,” Natalie Phillips, Professor of Psychology at the University of Concordia at Montreal, told New Scialist this week.
Scientists have learned about the alleged relationship between the dual language and dementia for some time, because the Canadian psychologist Ellen Pylistock and her colleagues examined the records of 184 patients suffering from dementia in 2007 and found that those who were dichotomy showed symptoms four years after their unilateral colleagues.
It was not clear whether there were other factors in playing, but it seems that the 2013 study outside India confirms the results.
Dual -language people have developed dementia after 4.5 years of monochromatic people, regardless of their occupation, sex, education and residence.
But why this might be the case at the confusion of researchers – until recently.
Philips and her colleagues have used advanced nervous imaging techniques to determine that dual -language seems to help maintain dementia in three main ways.
First, it promotes brain reserves, which makes them able to maintain more damage before reaching the collapse point.
Second, cognitive reserve, which is the brain's ability to adapt and preserve the cognitive function despite the change or damage associated with aging.
“If you are considering the brain reserves against the cognitive reserve, this is similar to comparing the feature of the software feature,” said Phillips.
When the dual -language hears in one language, their brains automatically activate associations of similar words in both languages.
For example, a person who is fluent in English and French hears the word “for” unlawfully reaches relevant words such as “feed” and “Forset”, and this means the forest in French.
This is the continuous mentality sorcery that strengthens critical brain networks responsible for memory and the executive function. Over time, these enhanced tracks help compensate for the effects of dementia.
Finally, it seems that being a two -language also benefits brain maintenance – its ability to stay in good health when facing challenges.
Phillips found that, compared to those who were mono, people showed a lower decrease in the Husayn as soon as cognitive problems advanced.
“I found this very interesting because the hippocampus is not a linguistic center, it's the main memory center,” Palastockk told New scientists.
“What all this says is that dual language changes the way it deals with the increasing brain.” “It does not prevent dementia, as it hinders the flood. When people ultimately appear cognitive problems, they retreat faster, but it begins later.”
“Imagine what a families can do with this extra time,” added Palestock.
The Philips study in the fall was published in a two language magazine: Language and perception.
Research has shown that lifetime dual -language provides more protection against dementia than capturing a second language as an adult because the language switch was continuing from an early age.
However, this does not mean that you cannot reap some cognitive benefits from mental practice to get a new language at the present time.
“What you do is giving your brain a tremendous motivation, and the end result is what is difficult for your mind beneficial to your mind,” said Pleesque.
And do not worry – from the point of view of brain health, there is no need to become multi -language.
“There is no experimental evidence that more languages provide more protection,” Pelistoc pointed out.
