Does speaking more than one language help protect the aging brain?
The impact of bilingualism on cognitive reserve/resilience using socio-demographically and linguistically diverse populations
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · NIH-11308748
This project will compare thinking, brain scans, and biological markers in older adults who speak one language versus those who speak two or more, using diverse groups including Chinese, Spanish, Kannada, and English speakers.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11308748 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join one of several research centers enrolling older adults from different language backgrounds. The team will collect memory and thinking tests, brain imaging, blood-based biomarkers, detailed language history, and social factors. About 2,200 people will be included across sites in San Francisco, India, and Texas and followed over time to track changes in cognition and brain measures. The goal is to understand how bilingual experience relates to brain resilience across diverse communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults who are monolingual or bilingual in Chinese, Spanish, Kannada, or English and who can complete cognitive testing, brain scans, and blood draws are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with very advanced dementia, unrelated neurological disorders that prevent testing or imaging, or those unable to provide blood samples may not directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify whether bilingualism helps delay cognitive decline and inform culturally tailored dementia prevention strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have shown mixed results—some suggest bilingualism delays dementia symptoms while others are inconclusive—so this larger, multi-site effort aims to provide clearer answers.
Where this research is happening
SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO — SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TEE, BOON LEAD — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- Study coordinator: TEE, BOON LEAD
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.