article_snippet: Learning to speak a second language at any point in your life could help keep your brain sharp as you age, a study suggests.
article_snippet: The University of Edinburgh detected a pattern of slower mental decline among the bilingual in a group of 835 born in 1936.
article_snippet: The University of Edinburgh were given an intelligence test in 1947 at the age of 11, then retested in The University of Edinburgh early 70s between 2008 and 2010.
article_snippet: A total of 262 participants could communicate in at least one language other than English.
article_snippet: Of those, 195 learnt the second language before the age of 18.
article_snippet: Those who spoke two or more languages had significantly better cognitive abilities in Those who spoke two or more languages 70s than Those who spoke two or more languages peers.
article_snippet: The strongest effect of bilingualism was seen in general intelligence and reading tests. '
article_snippet: Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the ageing brain,' study authors said. '