Changes in White-Matter Connectivity in Late Second Language Learners: Evidence from Diffusion Tensor Imaging

Eleonora Rossi, Hu Cheng, Judith F. Kroll, Michele T. Diaz, Sharlene D. Newman
2017 Frontiers in Psychology  
Morphological brain changes as a consequence of new learning have been widely established. Learning a second language (L2) is one such experience that can lead to rapid structural neural changes. However, still relatively little is known about how levels of proficiency in the L2 and the age at which the L2 is learned influence brain neuroplasticity. The goal of this study is to provide novel evidence for the effect of bilingualism on white matter structure in relatively proficient but late L2
more » ... arners who acquired the second language after early childhood. Overall, the results demonstrate a significant effect on white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) as a function of L2 learning. Higher FA values were found in a broad white matter network including the anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), the Uncinate Fasciculus (UF), and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF). Moreover, FA values were correlated with age of L2 acquisition, suggesting that learning an L2, even past childhood, induces neural changes. Finally, these results provide some initial evidence that variability in the age of L2 acquisition has important consequences for neural plasticity. If ENGLISH is your Native Language, please RATE yourself: * * * If English is NOT your Native Language, please contact Experimenter for further instructions. 7. Please rate your English reading proficiency. (1=not literate and 10 = very literate) 8. Please rate your English writing proficiency. (1=not literate and 10=very literate) 9. Please rate your English speaking ability. (1=not fluent and 10=very fluent) 9. Please rate your English speech comprehension ability. (1=unable to understand conversation and 10=perfectly able to understand) J 10 The next section of the questionnaire deals with your second language learning experience. 11. Have you studied any second language? J No If NO, please go to question #19 J Yes If YES, where and when? Please check all that apply and indicate length of study. J Home Language: ---------------J Since Age ( ) Elementary School Language: -------------J ( ) year(s) Middle School Language: ---------------J ( ) year(s) High School Language: ---------------J 1 year J 2 years J 3 years College Language: J Have not studied a second language in college J 1-2 semesters J 3-4 semesters J 5-6 semesters J 8+ semesters J Taking a second language for a requirement but interested in being a major or minor. J A second language minor J A second language major J A second language graduate student J Other [please explain ---------------] 13. Have you studied / lived abroad? Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org J Yes J No If Yes, where and when did you study, for how long, and what language did you speak? Country Approx. dates Length of Stay Language The next section asks you to rate your skills in your primary second language. 14. Please rate your second language reading proficiency. (1=not literate and 10=very literate) 15. Please rate your second language writing proficiency. (1=not literate and 10=very literate) 16. Please rate your second language speaking ability. (1=not fluent and 10=very fluent) 17. Please rate your second language speech comprehension ability. (1=unable to understand conversation and 10=perfectly able to understand) 18. In my second language class es I get: J Mostly A's J Mostly A's and B's J Mostly B's J Mostly B's and C's J Mostly C's 19. If you speak or have studied more than one second language, please explain about your additional language experience (i.e., years, level of proficiency, etc.) Thank you for your participation Frontiers in Psychology | www.frontiersin.org
doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02040 pmid:29209263 pmcid:PMC5702476 fatcat:mdybvktrgbbupj6bpd4tyn5tua