Study: Speaking Another Language May Slow Brain Aging

People who speak more than one language appear to have younger brains, according to research presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum. The human brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that communicate with one another. As we age, these connections gradually weaken, contributing to memory decline and slower cognitive processing.

The new study found that the more languages a person speaks, the younger their brain appears to be. Learning an additional language at an early age and achieving a high level of proficiency were also associated with slower brain aging.

The researchers examined people from Spain's Basque region, where multilingualism is common. Participants spoke either one or up to four languages, including Spanish, Basque, French, and English.

The team first analyzed data from 728 participants to develop a "brain aging clock." They used magnetoencephalography (MEG), a technique that measures brain activity by detecting the weak magnetic fields generated by active nerve cells. Artificial intelligence was then used to analyze brain activity across different age groups and establish the typical pattern of neural connectivity expected at each age.

Comparing participants' chronological age with their estimated brain age, the researchers found that people who spoke two languages had brains that appeared six years younger than those of monolingual individuals. Those who spoke three languages had brains that appeared about seven years younger, while people who spoke four languages had brains that appeared 13 years younger.

"Simply put, multilingual individuals have brains that appear younger than would be expected based on their chronological age," said Dr. Amoruso.

The benefits were not linked solely to the number of languages spoken. Greater language proficiency and learning a second language earlier in life were also associated with slower brain aging, suggesting that the depth and duration of multilingual experience play an important role.

The researchers accounted for factors such as participants' age, sex, and educational background. However, they cautioned that they could not completely rule out the influence of other variables that affect brain health, including lifestyle and social engagement.

Dr. Amoruso and his team hope to conduct similar research in people with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, where brain aging and cognitive resilience are particularly important. They also plan to investigate whether speaking two or more closely related languages has an even greater impact on the brain, as managing similar languages may require more advanced language control.

"Our findings suggest that learning a second, third, or even fourth language may help keep the brain younger for longer—and the earlier we start, the better. There are many compelling reasons to learn a foreign language at any age, including social, cultural, and brain health benefits. We should continue to support language learning both in schools and throughout life, even if it is challenging," the researchers concluded.