Understanding how being bilingual affects brain health in aging and dementia.
Official title: Leveraging Longitudinal Data and Informatics Technology to Understand the Role of Bilingualism in Cognitive Resilience, Aging and Dementia
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11009075 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how speaking two languages might help older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s or related conditions, stay mentally sharp over time, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how bilingualism could protect against memory loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,343,748 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG080429-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009075 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those who are bilingual or monolingual, and are experiencing cognitive changes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not within the older adult age range or who do not have concerns related to cognitive decline may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive resilience in older adults, particularly focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). By utilizing advanced informatics and longitudinal electronic health records from diverse populations, the study aims to identify and analyze the cognitive changes in both bilingual and monolingual individuals over time. The research will also develop algorithms to better categorize these groups and their cognitive health, addressing previous gaps in understanding the protective effects of bilingualism against cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into how bilingualism may help delay the onset of dementia and enhance cognitive health in aging populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that bilingualism may offer protective benefits against cognitive decline, but this study aims to build on those findings with a larger and more diverse sample.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Li — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Li
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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.