Speaking a second language may delay dementia by up to five years – more than powerful drugs, researchers say.
一項研究表明，會說兩種語言以上的人，比起服用強效藥用，更可以延緩老年癡呆症長達五年！
A study suggests being bilingual exercises the mind, so it has greater reserves when disease takes hold. But there are no additional advantages to speaking any more than two languages, according to the study in the journal Neurology. It was carried out by researchers from the University of Edinburgh and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India.
Thomas Bak, of Edinburgh University, said: ‘These findings suggest that bilingualism might have a stronger influence on dementia than any currently available drugs.’
雙語者用腦相對單一語言者更多，因此大腦供血量也更多，且腦神經之間的聯繫更容易維持在矯健的狀態，正是這種「腦力鍛煉」推遲了罹患老年癡呆症的時間。
這項研究是由愛丁堡大學(the University of Edinburgh)的Thomas Bak和位於印度的醫學科學研究所聯合進行的，Thomas說：「這些發現顯示，雙語可能比任何目前可用的治療老年痴呆症的藥劑更有效。」
- Bilingual (adj.) 雙語的 (n.) 雙語人士 ﹡bi- 雙數
Their kids are completely bilingual. 他們的孩子能流利地說兩種語言。
- Monolingual (adj.) 單語的 (n.) 單語人士 ﹡mono- 單一
- Dementia (n.) (老年)癡呆
- Up to… 長達‥；多達‥
- Take hold 紮根
- Carry out 執行、進行；完成、實現
Extensive tests have been carried out on the patient. 對患者進行了多次試驗。
- Bilingualism (n.) 雙語能力
- Have an influence on… 對‥有強大的影響力
Since its appearance television has had a great influence on our life . 自從電視出現以來就對我們的生活有巨大的影響。
In the largest study to date on dementia and bilingualism, scientists recorded the age at which almost 650 patients in Hyderabad, of whom 60 per cent were bilingual, had been diagnosed with the condition.
On average, people who spoke two languages developed dementia 4.5 years later than those who did not. The delay ranged from three years for Alzheimer’s disease to six years for frontotemporal dementia.
Bilingual patients tended to develop dementia at age 65, compared with 61 for the monolingual. Illiterate bilingual people saw the same advantage, proving it is not down to education, scientists said.
They suggest switching between different sounds, concepts and grammar structures trains the brain. But further studies are needed to determine exactly how such training can delay dementia.
Dr Simon Ridley, of charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘These findings lend weight to the theory that keeping the brain active may provide a form of “cognitive reserve”, helping to delay the onset of symptoms. It would be useful to see further and larger studies of this type.’
這份研究報告在印度進行，它是到目前為止規模最大的衡量雙語對老年痴呆症發病影響的研究。科學家們向650名老年痴呆症患者進行研究和評估後，發現能講兩種或多種語言的人，往往罹患阿茲海默症、血管性痴呆及額顳葉痴呆症的時間較晚。
只會一種語言的長者，平均在61歲就開始有老年癡呆的症狀；而會兩種語言的長者，則平均在65歲時才開始出現症狀，兩者的腦袋衰退時間平均相差了5年。而雙語優勢還擴大到不識字的人，雖然不識字但會說兩種語言的人與雙語者一樣，可以延遲老年癡呆症狀，因此科學家確認老年癡呆與教育差異是沒有關聯的。
研究人員認為雙語者經常要在兩種語言間切換不同的聲音、文字、語法結構和觀念，而這有助於訓練大腦，但仍需要進一步研究，來確定究竟這類訓練是否可以延緩老年癡呆症。
從事阿茲海默症研究的英國慈善機構人員Dr Simon Ridley說：「這些發現給予部分理論重大的影響。保持大腦活躍是一種『認知儲備』，有助於延緩發病的症狀。」
- Date (v.) 始於 (n.)日期；約會
The castle dates back to the ancient Roman days .
此城堡建於古羅馬時代。
- Be diagnosed with 被診斷出…
About a year ago, I was diagnosed with cancer.
一年前，我被診斷出患有癌症。
- Frontotemporal dementia (n.) 【醫】額顳葉失智症
- Illiterate (adj.) 文盲的；未受教育的 (n.) 文盲
People who have never gone to school are usually illiterate .
從未上過學的人往往目不識丁。
- Charity (n.) 慈善；慈善機構；寬厚
Several charities sent aid to the flood victims .
好幾個慈善機構已向水災災民給予援助。
- Cognitive (adj.) 認知的
- Onset (n.) 開始；發作
He went to see a doctor at the onset of a fever .
他開始發燒時便去看醫生了
- Symptom (n.) 症狀；徵兆
A fever is a symptom of illness .
發燒是生病的症狀。
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2489371/Being-bilingual-slow-dementia-better-effect-strong-drugs.html#ixzz2k1OCmKqo
