"Learning an Additional Language Makes the Brain Younger"... Results from 'Brain Aging Clock' Study

Research Team Develops Brain Aging Clock Based on Brain Activity
Number of Languages, Proficiency, and Acquisition Age Affect Brain Age
Impact of Lifestyle and Other Factors Remains Unclear

A study has found that people who speak multiple languages tend to have a "brain age," as estimated by brain activity, that appears younger. The research also observed that the earlier a person learns a second language and the more proficient they become, the more slowly their brain seems to age.

Image to aid understanding of the article. Pixabay

According to Yonhap News on July 6, a research team led by Dr. Lucia Amoruso from the Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language in San Sebastian, Spain, presented these findings at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2026 held in Barcelona. The study involved the Latin American Brain Health Institute at Adolfo Ibanez University in Chile, the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of San Andres in Argentina, and the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland.

The human brain contains an average of 86 billion neurons (nerve cells), with 100 trillion to 1,000 trillion synaptic connections—pathways through which the neurons communicate. As people age, these connections weaken, which tends to cause declines in memory and processing speed.

The research team analyzed the relationship between multilingual experience and brain connectivity among residents of the Basque region, where many people speak at least two of the following languages: Spanish, Basque, French, or English.

First, they measured the brain activity of 728 individuals of varying ages and language abilities using magnetoencephalography (MEG), creating a "brain aging clock." This technique measures the tiny magnetic fields produced by neural activity. Next, they used artificial intelligence (AI) to calculate the typical brain connectivity for each age group, then selected a separate group of 144 people who spoke between one and four languages to compare their actual age with their estimated "brain age."

The analysis showed that the brains of people who spoke two, three, or four languages were on average 6, 7, and 13 years younger, respectively, than those who spoke only one language.

Dr. Amoruso, who led the study, explained, "In simple terms, people who speak more languages tended to have brains that appeared younger than would be expected for their actual age." She added, "The effect was not only related to the number of languages spoken. Greater proficiency and earlier acquisition of a second language were also linked to delayed brain aging. This means that it is not simply a matter of being bilingual or not, but rather a question of the depth and duration of language experience."

Professor Christina Dalla of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, who attended the forum, commented, "This study suggests that learning a second, third, or fourth language can help keep the brain younger for longer, and the earlier you start, the better." As the Chair of the FENS Forum Communication Committee, she emphasized, "There are many good reasons to learn another language at any age. In addition to social and cultural reasons, there are also benefits for brain health. Even if it is difficult, we should support language learning both in schools and throughout life."

However, some urge caution in interpreting the results. While participants' age, gender, and education level were considered, other factors that may affect the brain—such as lifestyle or social engagement—were not fully excluded. The research team plans to apply the same analysis to patients with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, where brain aging and resilience are important, and also to investigate whether speaking similar languages together has a greater impact on the brain.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.