Language preference and development of dementia among bilingual individuals.
In bilingual individuals, regression to a primary language may be associated with development of cognitive impairment and increased risk for development of dementia. This report describes two bilingual patients who presented with early symptoms of dementia after regression to their primary language. The results of this study may help clinicians identify aging bilingual patients who are beginning to develop cognitive impairment or dementia and suggest that further studies on the long term cognitive effects of bilingualism and interactions with the aging process are indicated.
Department of Medicine, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai'i, Honolulu, HI, USA. aaronmnm@hawaii.edu
Aaron
A
McMurtray
Erin
E
Saito
Beau
B
Nakamoto
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019303:Multilingualism; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012043:Regression, Psychology