Conference
Bilingual Brain – A Lifelong Perspective (Satellite symposium in Quebec City)
The CRBLM, along with CINQ, is pleased to sponsor this satellite symposium within the framework of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language conference in Quebec City. The symposium reflects on language learning across the lifespan and how our experience with language and multiple language learning informs questions of brain plasticity and organization. In addition to featuring several experts in the field of bilingualism and brain plasticity, the symposium will feature short oral presentations.
Lecture
Invited Speaker: Toms Voits
August 21, 2018
Title: The Cognitive and Neurological Effects of Bilingualism on Healthy Ageing and Dementia: Study Design (August 21st, 10:30 am)
Recent evidence has shown that bilingualism is a factor that has an impact on one’s cognitive abilities and brain structure in older age: cognitive abilities are better preserved (Bialystok et al., 2012), brain structures maintain their integrity for longer (Luk et al., 2011), and it has been suggested that bilingual individuals experience clinical onset of dementia later in life than comparable monolinguals (Alladi et al., 2013). Bilingual patients also maintain better cognitive function at higher levels of brain atrophy than monolinguals, suggesting bilingualism is related to higher cognitive reserve (Schweizer et al., 2012). However, to date, there is no longitudinal evidence linking bilingualism to the progression of dementia.
Lecture
Invited Speaker: Vincent DeLuca
August 21, 2018
Title: Bilingualism is a Spectrum: Effects of specific language experiences on brain function and executive control (August 21st, 11 am)
The effects of bilingualism on executive control (EC) are debated, given the variable results found across studies. However, relatively few studies have specifically examined effects of individual differences in language use on executive control processes or their neural correlates. We assess the hypothesis that specific language use factors, both absolute and experience-based (EBFs), within the bilingual experience will alter neural activity in regions implicated in language/executive control processes.