Bilingualism and brain resilience in older Hispanic adults with mild memory loss

Prospective study of bilingualism and cognitive reserve in the aging brain of Hispano adults with MCI

['FUNDING_R01'] · FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY · NIH-11285223

This project looks at whether speaking both Spanish and English helps protect thinking skills in older Hispanic adults with mild memory problems.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorFLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOCA RATON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11285223 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

You would be followed over time to see how your language history and use relate to memory and thinking changes. Researchers will collect detailed information about bilingualism, social and cultural background, and other lifestyle factors. Participants will also have multimodal brain imaging and cognitive testing at multiple visits. The work builds on the 1Florida ADRC cohort and aims to include both Spanish/English bilinguals and Spanish monolingual Hispanic adults with amnestic MCI.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Hispanic adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment who are Spanish/English bilingual or Spanish monolingual and can complete cognitive testing and brain imaging at study visits.

Not a fit: People without memory problems, non-Hispanic individuals, or those unable to undergo MRI or attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could show whether bilingualism helps delay memory decline and inform ways to protect thinking skills in people with MCI.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have suggested bilingualism may protect thinking skills but results are mixed, so this larger longitudinal study with imaging takes a more rigorous and relatively novel approach.

Where this research is happening

BOCA RATON, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.