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Multilingualism can delay cognitive ageing and possibly also protect against dementia, a new study demonstrates. The effect even increases with the number of languages you speak. Dublin/Berlin (dpa) – People who regularly speak multiple languages age more slowly on average, a study using data from more than 86,000 adults in 27 European countries found. Published in the journal Nature Aging, an international team led by Agustin Ibañez of Trinity College Dublin matched participants’ chronological ages with biological data and behavioural measures, including health, fitness, lifestyle and social activity. They then calculated whether individuals were biologically younger or older than their chronological age. Participants were aged between 50 and 90. Multilingual people had a markedly lower likelihood of accelerated ageing than those who speak only one language. What's more the effect doesn't stop at two languages, and each additional language strengthened the protective effect, researchers found. Peter Berlit, secretary general of the German Society for Neurology (DGN) and not involved in the study, said the research also points to protection against dementia. "This study confirms smaller observational studies that have shown that multilingualism appears to be a protective factor against dementia." While no people with dementia were included in the study, he said there were important indications of mechanisms that could reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older age. "Resilience to cognitive decline is actually increased by using multiple languages." More languages, stronger effect The researchers attribute the effect to the so-called cognitive reserve. "Multilingualism seems to be a buffer in the brain," explained Berlit. "People who speak several languages have more memory to draw on in old age." The challenge now, say neuroscientists Jason Rothman and Federico Gallo of Lancaster University in a commentary on the study, is to understand the mechanisms of this effect and translate them into strategies for healthy ageing. They say multilingualism could be a cost-effective lever for public health, potentially as significant as programmes promoting physical activity or smoking cessation. Language as dementia prevention Berlit also described it as an effective preventive option. "Learning a new language is a simple and very effective recommendation for dementia prevention. It is a health policy measure that anyone can implement." The researchers now plan to investigate whether learning new languages in later life has the same protective effect as lifelong multilingualism. "Future studies should distinguish between languages learned in childhood and those learned in old age. I believe both are effective, but this still needs to be proven," said Berlit. The research comes at a time when AI has begun to undermine the value of multilingualism in some areas, with software better than ever at translating between spoken and written language in real time. The following information is not intended for publication dpa pls yyzz n1 waw

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Washington (dpa) – It does not matter how fit you are or what age it happens, but a spine injury can be life-altering for survivors who face a higher risk than others from a "myriad" of potentially fatal health problems later on. Published in JAMA Network Open, an American Medical Association journal, the study showed that patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) report to doctors years later with seemingly unrelated but sometimes deadly conditions such as diabetes, stroke and hypertension, as well as more predictable concerns such as depression. "TSCI was associated with increased long-term risk of multisystem morbidity and elevated mortality — even in previously healthy patients," according to researchers at Mass General Brigham, a combination of Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the US. Immediate problems related to TSCI, such as difficulty breathing, fluctuating blood pressure and heart rates, have long been studied, according to the researchers. They explained that they wanted to find out more about how such spinal injuries may make patients more likely to suffer from diseases usually associated with poor diet and lack of exercise. The team looked at patient data from Mass General Brigham and from the University of California to compare outcomes for almost 3,000 spine injury patients and others. "Patients with a history of TSCI had significantly higher risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke and diabetes, along with other neurologic and psychiatric conditions," the researchers said, warning that such injuries were "associated with an increased risk of death, even in previously healthy patients." "The journey doesn't end when patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries leave the hospital or rehab," said Saef Izzy, a neurologist in the Department of Neurology at Mass General Brigham.  "Programs should be implemented to identify patients at risk so that we can better manage their chronic care and address health issues that put patients at higher risk of death," Izzy added. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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London (PA Media/dpa) – Existing evidence does not show a clear link between taking paracetamol in pregnancy and autism and ADHD in children, an in-depth review has concluded. Researchers trawled all studies on the issue and concluded they were low quality, with “low to critically low” confidence in any findings suggesting a link. US President Donald Trump said in September there has been a “meteoric rise” in cases of autism and that Tylenol – which is called paracetamol in the UK – was a potential cause. He said the painkiller should not be taken during pregnancy, suggesting pregnant women should “tough it out”. His comments were criticised by autism campaigners and scientists around the world. Now in a new study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), experts including from the universities of Liverpool and Birmingham concluded that women should continue to be advised to take paracetamol when needed to treat pain and fever in pregnancy. They said there was a “lack of robust evidence linking paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism and ADHD in offspring”. Furthermore, untreated fever, particularly in the first trimester, has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects and premature birth – underlining the need for women to be able to take paracetamol. The team also suggested that any apparent link between paracetamol and autism and ADHD in previous studies may be driven by shared genetic and environmental factors within families. For the latest study, researchers examined nine systematic reviews that included a total of 40 observational studies reporting on paracetamol use during pregnancy and the risk of autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental outcomes. All reviews reported a possible to strong association between a mother’s paracetamol intake and autism or ADHD, or both, in children, but seven of the nine reviews advised caution when interpreting the findings. Overall, experts in the BMJ concluded that confidence in the findings of these reviews was low (for two reviews) to critically low (for seven reviews). They added: “Existing evidence does not show a clear link between in utero exposure to paracetamol and autism and ADHD in offspring. “Any apparent effect observed after in utero exposure to paracetamol on autism and ADHD in childhood might be driven by familial genetic and environmental factors and unmeasured confounders.” Dimitrios Siassakos, professor in obstetrics and gynaecology from University College London, said: “The high-quality methodology used in this new umbrella review confirms what experts around the globe have been saying. “The evidence that links paracetamol use in pregnancy to autism is tenuous and those studies which do report an association are confounded by the association of autism or ADHD with factors shared by families such as genetics and lifestyle.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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It's a dental service that's rarely covered by health insurance – and yet it's one that many dentists recommend. How effective is a professional teeth cleaning really in protecting against tooth decay or periodontitis? Experts are surprisingly divided on this issue. Berlin (dpa) – Professional dental cleaning is a common add-on service in dental practices, but some patients may wonder if it's worth the extra cost. A professional teeth cleaning is a step above your usual toothbrush and flossing routine, involving a more intensive procedure performed by specially trained staff. It includes removing deposits such as tartar and plaque from tooth and root surfaces, smoothing tooth surfaces, and cleaning the spaces between teeth. Finally, the teeth are fluoridated in gel or varnish form for protection against tooth decay. The aim is to remove harmful and cosmetically bothersome deposits that increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease such as periodontitis. Evidence on the effectiveness of professional dental cleaning is mixed. A review by the Cochrane research network in 2018 found that the benefits for people with good oral hygiene were not sufficiently proven. Studies have also yet to clearly prove that this treatment protects against tooth decay, gingivitis or periodontitis more than a dentist removing plaque and tartar – a process known as scaling – during a routine trip to the dentist, the review concluded. However, it may make a difference if a condition such as periodontitis is already present, according to the consumer advice centre. This can also make a difference in health insurance coverage. Despite scientific findings being lukewarm on dental cleanings, some dentist organizations are more enthusiastic in their support. "Most people may need their teeth cleaned every six or 12 months," says the Australian Dental Association. The German Dental Association says professional dental cleaning has a positive effect on oral hygiene. The association points to Swedish long-term studies dating back to the 1970s which, it said, showed that "with a prophylaxis programme with dental cleaning as a core service, tooth decay and periodontitis can be almost completely avoided for most people." Side effects during or after a professional dental cleaning are very rare, the German Dental Association says. Immunosuppressed people and those with cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders or allergies should inform practice staff in advance. Patients with very sensitive teeth or inflamed gums may experience pain. Whether or not you decide for a professional tooth cleaning, at home you should be brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day for about two minutes using a fluoride toothpaste. Dental floss or interdental brushes can also help clean between your teeth. The following information is not intended for publication dpa mah yyzz a3 swe

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Tokyo (dpa) – Found in berries and teas, flavonols could be key to boosting memory and sleep – if only there was a way to get the body to absorb more of them. A team of scientists at the Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo has found that a single dose "stimulated brain regions involved in memory and sleep-wake regulation, and increased sympathetic nervous activity, a stress response." But although flavenols are found in a range of foods, including coffee, wine and many vegetables, they have "poor bioavailability," according to the researchers. This means that only "a fraction" of what gets ingested makes it as far as the bloodstream, limiting their potential impact. The "astringent" tastes that many flavenol-rich food items and drinks come with could be key, however, as it appears this is what stimulates the brain – at least in tests on mice, which "exhibited greater motor activity, exploratory behaviour, and improved learning and memory" when given flavenols. Flavenol intake appeared to prompt a dopamine rush, referring to the brain chemical and so-called "feel-good" hormone that plays a role in memory, stress and mood. "Moderate intake of flavanols, despite their poor bioavailability, can improve the health and quality of life," said Shibaura researcher Yasuyuki Fujii. Blackberries are thought to be the best source of flavenols, with blueberries and raspberries next. Previous studies have pointed to a link between consistent intake of flavenol-rich food and reduced risk of developing breast, colon and prostate cancer. The following information is not intended for publication dpa spr coh

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