Second language learning in older adults modulates Stroop task performance and brain activation.
Introduction: Numerous studies have highlighted cognitive benefits in lifelong bilinguals during aging, manifesting as superior performance on cognitive tasks compared to monolingual counterparts. Yet, the cognitive impacts of acquiring a new language in older adulthood remain unexplored. In this st...
| Published in: | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience pp. 1 - 15 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
| Format: | clinical trial research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2024
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=179152026&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 179152026 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 16634365 BG2U jtl: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience issn: 16634365 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: 2024 pid: 40038 pub: Frontiers Media S.A. artinfo: ui: 179152026 179152026 179152026 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1398015 179152026 ppf: 1 ppct: 14 formats: tig: atl: Second language learning in older adults modulates Stroop task performance and brain activation. aug: au: Schultz, Douglas H. Gansemer, Alison Allgood, Kiley Gentz, Mariah Secilmis, Lauren Deldar, Zoha Savage, Cary R. Saidi, Ladan Ghazi affil: Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States sug: subj: Language Development In Old Age Learning In Old Age Brain Physiology Task Performance and Analysis Human Neuropsychological Tests Magnetic Resonance Imaging Methods Pretest-Posttest Design Middle Age Aged Aged, 80 and Over Reaction Time Analysis of Variance Neuroradiography Prefrontal Cortex Physiology Repeated Measures Post Hoc Analysis Data Analysis Software Questionnaires Cognition Evaluation Executive Function Evaluation Image Processing, Computer Assisted Software Clinical Trials Funding Source Online Education Memory Evaluation Attention Evaluation Patient Compliance Visual Perception Probability Validity Multivariate Analysis Multilingualism Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient One-Tailed Test Middle Aged: 45-64 years Aged: 65+ years Aged, 80 & over ab: Introduction: Numerous studies have highlighted cognitive benefits in lifelong bilinguals during aging, manifesting as superior performance on cognitive tasks compared to monolingual counterparts. Yet, the cognitive impacts of acquiring a new language in older adulthood remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed both behavioral and fMRI responses during a Stroop task in older adults, preand post language-learning intervention. Methods: A group of 41 participants (age:60-80) from a predominantly monolingual environment underwent a four-month online language course, selecting a new language of their preference. This intervention mandated engagement for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. Daily tracking was employed to monitor progress and retention. All participants completed a color-word Stroop task inside the scanner before and after the language instruction period. Results: We found that performance on the Stroop task, as evidenced by accuracy and reaction time, improved following the language learning intervention. With the neuroimaging data, we observed significant differences in activity between congruent and incongruent trials in key regions in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. These results are consistent with previous reports using the Stroop paradigm. We also found that the amount of time participants spent with the language learning program was related to differential activity in these brain areas. Specifically, we found that people who spent more time with the language learning program showed a greater increase in differential activity between congruent and incongruent trials after the intervention relative to before. Discussion: Future research is needed to determine the optimal parameters for language learning as an effective cognitive intervention for aging populations. We propose that with sufficient engagement, language learning can enhance specific domains of cognition such as the executive functions. These results extend the understanding of cognitive reserve and its augmentation through targeted interventions, setting a foundation for future investigations. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: clinical trial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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