View Item 
        •   Utrecht University Student Theses Repository Home
        • UU Theses Repository
        • Theses
        • View Item
        •   Utrecht University Student Theses Repository Home
        • UU Theses Repository
        • Theses
        • View Item
        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UU Student Theses RepositoryBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

        The Bilingual Neurocognitive Network: An investigation of Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Performance

        Thumbnail
        View/Open
        Thesis.Rietbergen.Final.pdf (1.234Mb)
        Publication date
        2014
        Author
        Rietbergen, M.J.
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Summary
        It has been suggested that the bilingual advantage is influenced by the greater demand placed on the neurocognitive network when handling two language systems, resulting in better cognitive performance. Neuroimaging findings indicate that the bilingual neurocognitive network is more efficient in completing certain tasks, while exhibiting less functional engagement, and remarkably, altered brain plasticity. The current study investigated the bilingual advantage in terms of cognitive performance relative to brain plasticity in the neurocognitive network of lifelong bilinguals. A VBM analysis measured grey matter volume in the left and right caudate nucleus, a subcortical region associated with language and cognitive control. Greater grey matter volume in the left caudate was hypothesized to correlate with the cognitive performance exhibited by senior bilingual adults.Findings revealed that senior bilinguals had more grey matter volume in the left caudate than the right caudate,and were more accurate and faster during the cognitive control task compared to monolingual senior adults. Grey matter volume in the left caudate of senior bilingual adults correlated with cognitive performance. The results of this study indicate a bilingual advantage that may arguably be associated with the grey matter volume of the left caudate nucleus.
        URI
        https://studenttheses.uu.nl/handle/20.500.12932/18070
        Collections
        • Theses
        Utrecht university logo