Understanding structural plasticity in the bilingual brain: The Dynamic Restructuring Model
By Christos Pliatsikas. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 2019
182 citations recorded by the source corpus.
Abstract 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.
Subfields: Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/1a82ac1867849d5825361193154252df25eb8d01
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In Cognitive Neuroscience
- Vincent DeLuca
- Ali Mazaheri
- Andrea Krott
- Katrien Segaert
- John G. Grundy
- F. H. Lopes da Silva
- Pascal Fries
In Developmental and Educational Psychology
In Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Citations in the corpus
- Understanding bilingual brain function and structure changes? U bet! A unified bilingual experience trajectory model (2020, methodology): “…of efficiency (as discussed by the BAPSS framework, CRM and DRM) include preferential recruitment of subcortical structures (specifically caudate, putamen, and thalamus) (Stocco et al., 2014) and posterior regions such as the occipital lobes and cerebellum (Grundy et al., 2017; Pliatsikas, 2019b).”
- The effects of bilingualism on executive functions: an updated quantitative analysis (2020, background): “…and usage information is problematic especially because several studies have demonstrated not only the importance of second language proficiency, but also immersion and usage of the second language on brain structure and function (Deluca et al. 2019a, b; Pliatsikas 2020; Pliatsikas et al. 2017).”