title: Structural plasticity in the language system related to increased second language proficiency.
abstract: While functional changes linked to second language learning have been subject to extensive investigation, the issue of learning-dependent structural plasticity in the fields of bilingualism and language comprehension has so far received less notice. In the present study we used voxel-based morphometry to monitor structural changes occurring within five months of second language learning. Native English-speaking exchange students learning German in Switzerland were examined once at the beginning of their stay and once about five months later, when their German language skills had significantly increased. We show that structural changes in the left inferior frontal gyrus are correlated with the increase in second language proficiency as measured by a paper-and-pencil language test. Contrary to the increase in proficiency and grey matter, the absolute values of grey matter density and second language proficiency did not correlate (neither on first nor on second measurement). This indicates that the individual amount of learning is reflected in brain structure changes, regardless of absolute proficiency.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatric Neurophysiology, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Federspiel
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Miranka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirth
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Strik
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wiest
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brandeis
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dierks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007802:Language; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019303:Multilingualism; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012660:Semantics; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology