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Learning another language may keep your brain younger, study suggests
Research presented at the 2026 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies Forum suggests that speaking two or more languages may help slow the ageing of the brain. According to the study, people who were multilingual appeared to have "younger" brains than those who spoke only a single language, adding to a growing body of evidence linking bilingualism to cognitive benefits and resilience against age-related decline.
Researchers examined brain activity in several hundred people from Spain's Basque region, where residents commonly speak between one and four languages, including Spanish, Basque, French and English. The team used artificial intelligence-based analysis to compare the participants' measured brain age against their actual age, finding that those who spoke more languages tended to show younger-looking brain profiles. The findings were presented at a scientific conference rather than published in a peer-reviewed journal at this stage.
In short
- Speaking multiple languages may slow brain ageing, new research suggests.
- Study analysed hundreds of multilingual people in Spain's Basque region.
- Findings were presented at a 2026 European neuroscience forum.
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The case for
The research meaningfully extends growing evidence that bilingualism supports cognitive health, employing sophisticated neuroimaging analysis on a substantial sample from a naturally multilingual population. The findings are scientifically plausible given established knowledge about cognitive engagement and neural plasticity, and conference presentations appropriately serve scientific communication before formal peer review.
The case against
Caution is warranted for findings not yet subjected to peer review, which may contain methodological or analytical limitations. The apparent link between multilingualism and brain age does not establish causation, as cognitive aptitude, education, and socioeconomic factors could simultaneously promote language learning and preserve brain health; stronger peer-reviewed evidence is needed before making health claims.
Explained simply
Research into the effects of learning multiple languages on brain health has expanded over recent years. Scientists have been investigating whether this might help slow the mental decline that comes with age.
A recent study examined several hundred people from Spain's Basque region, where residents commonly speak between one and four languages including Spanish, Basque, French and English. The researchers used artificial intelligence to measure the biological age of each person's brain and compared this with their actual age.
The study found that people who spoke more languages tended to have brains that appeared younger than their actual age. The research has been presented at a scientific conference but has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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