Multilingual speakers show brain ages up to 13 years younger, study finds
Research presented at the FENS Forum shows that people who speak multiple languages have brains that appear significantly younger than monolinguals, with four-language speakers showing an estimated 13-year advantage.
At the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum, Dr. Lucia Amoruso and collaborators reported that multilingualism is linked to slower brain aging. Using magnetoencephalography data from 728 volunteers, the team built an AI-driven brain-age model and tested it on a separate group of 144 people from the Basque region who spoke between one and four languages. Results showed a stepwise reduction in estimated brain age: two languages corresponded to roughly six years younger, three languages to about seven years, and four languages to an estimated 13-year advantage.
Earlier language learning and greater fluency further strengthened the association. Adjustments were made for demographic variables, though the authors cautioned that other health-related behaviors might also influence outcomes. Future work will explore whether similar patterns exist in neurodegenerative diseases and whether closely related languages produce larger benefits.
Why it matters
Understanding how language learning may protect brain health could inform strategies to delay cognitive decline.
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