Noelia Calvo|Adolfo M. García|Laura Manoiloff|Agustín Ibáñez
Bilingualism and Cognitive Reserve: A Critical Overview and a Plea for Methodological Innovations
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas|Universidad Nacional de Córdoba|National University of San Juan|National University of Cuyo|Favaloro University|Diego Portales University|Centro Científico Tecnológico - San Juan|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas|Universidad Nacional de Córdoba|Universidad Autónoma del Caribe|Favaloro University|Diego Portales University|Centro Científico Tecnológico - San Juan|Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas|Australian Research Council
decline cognitive skills throughout healthy pathological aging slowed experiences foster cognitive reserve cr recently studies alzheimers disease suggested cr may enhanced lifelong bilingualism however evidence inconsistent largely based retrospective approaches featuring several methodological weaknesses studies demonstrated least 4 years delay dementia symptoms others find effect moreover various methodological aspects vary study study present paper addresses contradictory findings identifies possible lurking variables outlines methodological alternatives thereof first characterize possible confounding factors may influenced extant results focus criteria establish bilingualism differences sample design instruments used examine cognitive skills role variables known modulate lifelong cognition second propose limitations could largely circumvented experimental approaches proficiency nonnative language successfully assessed combining subjective objective measures confounding variables distinctively associated certain bilingual groups eg alcoholism sleep disorders targeted relevant instruments cognitive status might better tapped via robust cognitive screenings executive batteries moreover future research incorporate tasks yielding predictable patterns contrastive performance bilinguals monolinguals crucially include instruments reveal bilingual disadvantages vocabulary null effects working memory advantages inhibitory control executive functions finally paradigms tapping proactive interference assess disruptive effect longterm memory newly learned information could also offer useful data since phenomenon seems better managed bilinguals becomes conspicuous early stages dementia considerations may shed light relationship bilingualism cr also general mechanisms cognitive compensation