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Bilingualism And Bilingualism

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Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a pervasive problem in the United States, and is likely to become even more problematic as the population of older Americans grows in the coming years. In addition to the many genetic factors that contribute to AD, it has been suggested that cognitive reserve (CR) plays a role. CR is thought to mediate the relationship between language experience (LE) and later onset of AD in bilinguals compared to monolinguals. However, the literature on the proposed protective qualities of bilingualism is not conclusive. To help address questions about the relationship between bilingualism and later onset and/or lower incidence of AD, I proposed a large, prospective, longitudinal study of Americans. The collection of data on predictive variables, LE, and AD (if and when onset occurs) will be facilitated through collaboration among many US research institutions. These data will lend themselves to multiple-regression analyses. The results of this study will have important implications for Americans’ quality of life, as well as for the economy.
Is Bilingualism Associated with Lower Incidence and/or Later Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a leading cause of death among older American adults, and the population of adults ages 65 or older with AD is projected to increase to over 13 million by 2050 (Alzheimer's Disease, 2017). The prevalence of AD constitutes a major public

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