Exploring how speaking multiple languages may help protect against Alzheimer's disease in India
Official title: Multilingualism as a factor of resilience to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in India
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10988291 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how speaking more than one language might help older adults in India stay mentally sharp and protect against Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, by exploring things like when they learned their second language and how often they use it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $697,374 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080473-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10988291 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults in India who are bilingual or multilingual and are at risk for Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are monolingual or do not have a family history of Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential protective effects of multilingualism on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias among older adults in India. It aims to understand how factors such as age of second language acquisition, language proficiency, and frequency of use may influence cognitive resilience. By examining a diverse population, the study seeks to clarify the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive aging, addressing inconsistencies found in previous studies. Participants may undergo assessments to evaluate their language skills and cognitive health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how multilingualism may serve as a protective factor against Alzheimer's disease, potentially leading to new prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, making this study's approach both relevant and necessary to clarify these findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Jinkook — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Lee, Jinkook
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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.