Investigating how bilingualism affects brain health in older Hispanic adults with mild cognitive impairment
Official title: Prospective study of bilingualism and cognitive reserve in the aging brain of Hispano adults with MCI
Funded at Florida Atlantic University · NIH-11017700 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being bilingual in Spanish and English might help older Hispanic adults with mild cognitive impairment stay mentally sharp as they age, and it aims to find out if speaking two languages can protect against memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Florida Atlantic University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boca Raton, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $557,412 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080468-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017700 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Hispanic adults aged 21 and older who are bilingual in Spanish and English or monolingual in Spanish and have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Hispanic or do not have mild cognitive impairment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of bilingualism in enhancing cognitive reserve and resilience in aging Hispanic adults who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). By analyzing a large group of Spanish/English bilinguals and Spanish monolinguals, the study aims to determine how language proficiency may protect against cognitive decline. The researchers will employ a longitudinal approach, utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques and sociocultural assessments to gather comprehensive data over time. This study seeks to clarify inconsistent findings from previous research and provide insights into the neuroprotective effects of bilingualism.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for delaying cognitive decline in older adults, particularly among bilingual populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the cognitive benefits of bilingualism, but this study aims to provide more definitive evidence through a robust longitudinal design.
Where this research is happening
-
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosselli, Monica — Florida Atlantic University
- Study coordinator: Rosselli, Monica
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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.