Learning a second language could potentially help delay the onset of dementia by several years, scientists have revealed.

Bilingualism is often cited as a factor in building cognitive reserve, meaning the brain develops additional neural pathways to manage two languages, which could delay the onset of dementia by an average 5.4 years. However, it may take more than just a few extra Spanish lessons.

Learning a second language is difficult, which in return makes your brain work harder and using multiple languages can challenge the mind and create new neural pathways.

Now MRI imaging studies from September 2024 have given scientists a better idea of what is happening in the brain of those who speak two or more languages.

Findings showed that the benefits are due to the fact that speaking another tongue increases the size of the brain, Natalie Phillips at McGill University in Montreal, told New Scientist.

Speaking another language has also been shown to increase the efficiency and adaptability of the brain. So if the brain does shrink as a result of dementia, the organ can use different pathways to access the same information, Natalie said.

Natalie’s team looked at both bilingual and monolingual people who had early or late stage Alzheimer’s. Researchers also looked at people who believed their memory was getting worse but did not have dementia.

MRI scans showed bilingual dementia patients had far less decline in activity in the hippocampus - a part of your brain that's responsible for your memory and learning - compared to non-bilingual people.

However, researchers noted there was no difference in the size of this brain region.

“It doesn’t prevent dementia, it holds back the flood,” said Ellen Bialystok at York University in Toronto.

She added: “When bilingual people eventually show cognitive problems, they decline faster, but it starts later. Imagine what families could do with that extra time.”

However, studies show that only 10 per cent of Brits can have a conversation in a modern language that is not their mother tongue.

Around 20 years ago foreign language GCSEs became optional at most schools in England. Since then the number of people studying languages has plummeted.

Apart from the obvious lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, playing games and creative writing can help ward off dementia.