Multilingualism may slow brain aging by 13 years

Knowing multiple languages may be associated with slowing brain aging. This conclusion was reached by researchers led by Lucia Amorouso from the Basque Center for Cognition, Brain and Language in Spain. The results were presented at the Forum of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies in 2026.

The researchers examined data from 144 residents of Spain’s Basque Country who spoke between one and four languages. To estimate the biological age of the brain, they used magnetoencephalography and an artificial intelligence model.

The bilingual participants had their brains about six years younger than their actual age. For those who knew three languages, the difference was about seven years, and for those who knew four - up to 13 years.

The researchers noted that the results indicate a link between multilingualism and brain ageing, but do not prove that language proficiency prevents dementia or age-related changes.

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