Understanding structural plasticity in the bilingual brain: The Dynamic Restructuring Model

Research on the effects of bi- and multi-lingualism on brain structure has so far yielded variable patterns. Although it cannot be disputed that learning and using additional languages restructures grey (cortical, subcortical and cerebellar) and white matter in the brain, both increases and reductio...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bilingualism (Cambridge, England) England), 2020-03, Vol.23 (2), p.459-471
Main Author: Pliatsikas, Christos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bilingualism
Brain
Brain research
Children
Creativity
Evidence
Interpreters
Learning Processes
Multilingualism
Native Language
Native language acquisition
Native languages
Older people
Patients
Plasticity
Skill Development
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Research on the effects of bi- and multi-lingualism on brain structure has so far yielded variable patterns. Although it cannot be disputed that learning and using additional languages restructures grey (cortical, subcortical and cerebellar) and white matter in the brain, both increases and reductions in regional volume and diffusivity have been reported. This paper revisits the available evidence from simultaneous and sequential bilinguals, multilinguals, interpreters, bimodal bilinguals, children, patients and healthy older adults from the perspective of experience-based neuroplasticity. The Dynamic Restructuring Model (DRM) is then presented: a three-stage model accounting for, and reinterpreting, all the available evidence by proposing a time-course for the reported structural adaptations, and by suggesting that these adaptations are dynamic and depend on the quantity and quality of the language learning and switching experience. This is followed by suggestions for future directions for the emerging field of bilingualism-induced neuroplasticity.
ISSN:1366-7289
1469-1841
DOI:10.1017/S1366728919000130