Laura B Zahodne1, Peter W Schofield2, Meagan T Farrell1, Yaakov Stern1, Jennifer J Manly1. 1. Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and The Aging Brain, Columbia University. 2. Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Newcastle.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Clinic-based studies suggest that dementia is diagnosed at older ages in bilinguals compared with monolinguals. The current study sought to test this hypothesis in a large, prospective, community-based study of initially nondemented Hispanic immigrants living in a Spanish-speaking enclave of northern Manhattan. METHOD: Participants included 1,067 participants in the Washington/Hamilton Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP) who were tested in Spanish and followed at 18-24 month intervals for up to 23 years. Spanish-English bilingualism was estimated via both self-report and an objective measure of English reading level. Multilevel models for change estimated the independent effects of bilingualism on cognitive decline in 4 domains: episodic memory, language, executive function, and speed. Over the course of the study, 282 participants developed dementia. Cox regression was used to estimate the independent effect of bilingualism on dementia conversion. Covariates included country of origin, gender, education, time spent in the United States, recruitment cohort, and age at enrollment. RESULTS: Independent of the covariates, bilingualism was associated with better memory and executive function at baseline. However, bilingualism was not independently associated with rates of cognitive decline or dementia conversion. Results were similar whether bilingualism was measured via self-report or an objective test of reading level. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support a protective effect of bilingualism on age-related cognitive decline or the development of dementia. In this sample of Hispanic immigrants, bilingualism is related to higher initial scores on cognitive tests and higher educational attainment and may not represent a unique source of cognitive reserve. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.
OBJECTIVE: Clinic-based studies suggest that dementia is diagnosed at older ages in bilinguals compared with monolinguals. The current study sought to test this hypothesis in a large, prospective, community-based study of initially nondemented Hispanic immigrants living in a Spanish-speaking enclave of northern Manhattan. METHOD:Participants included 1,067 participants in the Washington/Hamilton Heights Inwood Columbia Aging Project (WHICAP) who were tested in Spanish and followed at 18-24 month intervals for up to 23 years. Spanish-English bilingualism was estimated via both self-report and an objective measure of English reading level. Multilevel models for change estimated the independent effects of bilingualism on cognitive decline in 4 domains: episodic memory, language, executive function, and speed. Over the course of the study, 282 participants developed dementia. Cox regression was used to estimate the independent effect of bilingualism on dementia conversion. Covariates included country of origin, gender, education, time spent in the United States, recruitment cohort, and age at enrollment. RESULTS: Independent of the covariates, bilingualism was associated with better memory and executive function at baseline. However, bilingualism was not independently associated with rates of cognitive decline or dementia conversion. Results were similar whether bilingualism was measured via self-report or an objective test of reading level. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support a protective effect of bilingualism on age-related cognitive decline or the development of dementia. In this sample of Hispanic immigrants, bilingualism is related to higher initial scores on cognitive tests and higher educational attainment and may not represent a unique source of cognitive reserve. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.
Authors: G C Román; T K Tatemichi; T Erkinjuntti; J L Cummings; J C Masdeu; J H Garcia; L Amaducci; J M Orgogozo; A Brun; A Hofman Journal: Neurology Date: 1993-02 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Richard J Caselli; Amylou C Dueck; Dona E C Locke; Leslie C Baxter; Bryan K Woodruff; Yonas E Geda Journal: J Int Neuropsychol Soc Date: 2015-02-09 Impact factor: 2.892
Authors: Robert S Wilson; Patricia A Boyle; Jingyun Yang; Bryan D James; David A Bennett Journal: Neuropsychology Date: 2014-08-11 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Shanna L Burke; Miriam J Rodriguez; Warren Barker; Maria T Greig-Custo; Monica Rosselli; David A Loewenstein; Ranjan Duara Journal: J Int Neuropsychol Soc Date: 2017-09-18 Impact factor: 2.892
Authors: Mónica Rosselli; David A Loewenstein; Rosie E Curiel; Ailyn Penate; Valeria L Torres; Merike Lang; Maria T Greig; William W Barker; Ranjan Duara Journal: J Int Neuropsychol Soc Date: 2018-10-18 Impact factor: 2.892