Brain structure in bilingual compared to monolingual individuals with Alzheimer's Disease: Proof of concept

Cyrus A. Raji, Somayeh Meysami, David A. Merrill, Verna R. Porter, Mario F. Mendez

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Background: Bilingualism is increasingly recognized as protective in persons at risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective: Compare MRI measured brain volumes in matched bilinguals versus monolinguals with AD. Methods: This IRB approved study analyzed T1 volumetric brain MRIs of patients with criteria-supported Probable AD. We identified 17 sequential bilinguals (any native language) with Probable AD, matched to 28 (62%) monolinguals on age and MMSE. Brain volumes were quantified with Neuroreader. Regional volumes as fraction of total intracranial volume (TIV) were compared between both groups, and Cohen's D effect sizes were calculated for statistically significant structures. Partial correlations between bilingualism and brain volumes adjusted for age, gender, and TIV. Results: Bilinguals had higher brain volumes in 37 structures. Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was observed in brainstem (t = 2.33, p = 0.02, Cohen's D= 0.71) and ventral diencephalon (t = 3.01, p = 0.004, Cohen's D= 0.91). Partial correlations showed statistical significance between bilingualism and larger volumes in brainstem (rp =0.37, p = 0.01), thalamus (rp = 0.31, p = 0.04), ventral diencephalon (rp = 0.50, p = 0.001), and pallidum (rp = 0.38, p = 0.01). Bilingualism positively correlated with hippocampal volume, though not statistically significant (rp = 0.17, p = 0.26). No brain volumes were larger in monolinguals. Conclusion: Bilinguals demonstrated larger thalamic, ventral diencephalon, and brainstem volumes compared to matched monolinguals with AD. This may represent a neural substrate for increased cognitive reserve in bilingualism. Future studies should extrapolate this finding into cognitively normal persons at risk for AD.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationHandbook of Prevention and Alzheimer's Disease
PublisherIOS Press
Pages557-562
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781643684932
ISBN (Print)9781643684925
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 20 2024

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Bilingual
  • Brain structure
  • Neuroreader

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Brain structure in bilingual compared to monolingual individuals with Alzheimer's Disease: Proof of concept'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this