How speaking multiple languages affects brain health and aging
Official title: The Role of Bilingualism in Cognitive and Brain Resilience: Addressing the Complexity
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11078321 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how speaking two languages might help keep your brain healthy as you age and could protect against Alzheimer's, and it's for anyone interested in how being bilingual might benefit brain health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $772,847 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080396-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078321 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are bilingual and are either healthy aging adults or those experiencing early signs of cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are monolingual or do not have any cognitive concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how being bilingual may help protect against cognitive decline and brain changes associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease. It aims to understand the relationship between bilingualism and brain resilience by examining how managing multiple languages can enhance cognitive functions. The study will analyze a diverse group of bilingual and monolingual individuals to explore the potential benefits of bilingualism on brain health and the development of Alzheimer's-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how bilingualism may serve as a protective factor against cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown mixed results regarding the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, making this investigation both relevant and necessary to clarify its role.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Deleon, Jessica Anne — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Deleon, Jessica Anne
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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.