There is evidence that speaking more than one language can contribute in healthy cognition (for example good memory) at aging. In this project we are examining if learning a second language will have any effect on healthy cognition at aging.
This project is for adults between the ages of 60 and 80 years old who are dedicated to learning a new language and have a device with internet access to use for language learning.
You will complete a few online questionnaires. This survey collects information on your life style choices and psychosocial status. We will Not collect any private or confidential information. We will not ask for your name or other identifying information. This survey helps us with understanding of lifestyle choices on aging. There are no wrong or right answers.
Our team will set up a Zoom meeting for the first screening (memory test). Zoom is a video-chat system that UNK uses and is secure. It does not require any set-up on your side. We will send you a link and you can join us by clicking on the link. This test should take between 20-30 minutes.
You will get the first brain scan done at Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior (CB3), affiliated to University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska.
You will get access to an online Language Learning of your choice for one year (worth almost $200). You will learn a new language everyday for 90 minutes at your convenience, for four months or after achieving Level 3. Our team will monitor your activities online and they will contact you every week to make sure you are progressing with no problems.
There are optional monthly zoom sessions to meet other language learners and exchange experiences.
We will set up another zoom meeting after the completion of the language learning program, similar to the first zoom session.
You will get the second brain scan done at Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior (CB3), affiliated to University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska.
All participants will fill out an Exit interview about their experience. The interview question is what did you like/dislike about the program? Do you have any suggestions for a more successful intervention?
You will receive $140 for compensation, and those living outside of Lincoln, Nebraska will receive an additional $50 travel compensation.
Our team will be happy to set a video-chat or phone session to take you through the questionnaires. Please let us know if you prefer this option.
A questionnaire to gather demographic information
b) A questionnaire to gather information on their life-styles
The scans are crucial to provide information about how the brain works. However, if you feel uncomfortable to be scanned but you will commit to the parts of the study, please let us know by responding to this email. We may be to assign you to a similar study.
It is possible. To participate in this study participants must meet all the inclusion and exclusion criteria. An example is being able to go in the fMRI scanner twice (before and after the language training). If even one criterion is not met, volunteers may not qualify to participate in this study.
Arabic,
Chinese (Mandarin),
Dari,
Filipino (Tagalog),
French
Greek,
Hebrew,
Hindi,
Indonesian,
Irish,
Italian,
Japanese,
Korean,
Latin,
Pashto,
Persian (Farsi),
Polish,
Portuguese (Brazil).
Russian,
Spanish (Latin American),
Spanish (Spain),
Swahili,
Turkish,
Urdu,
Vietnamese,
a) two tests of memory and cognition (10 minutes)
b) Three tests of attention and executive functions (3 minutes each)
c) Two tests of working memory (1 minute each)
d) Repetition of non-words (words that do not have a meaning)
The behavioral tests will take about 30 minutes. However depending on how fast or slowly that participant does the tasks it might take up to one hour.
MRI scanning will take about 1 hour (Preparation:15 minutes; doing the tasks: 15-20 minutes, lying down with no tasks to perform: 15-20 minutes)
According to current knowledge, fMRI imaging for research will not pose any medical risk to you if you are considered compatible to fMRI. Your safety is extremely important to us and we will not compromise your safety for any reason. Three scientific and ethics committees have approved the safety of our study including scanning participants.
We will answer to that question by asking you to fill-out a questionnaire. Some of the considerations we will take to make sure of your safety include, the presence of a pacemaker, an aneurysm clip, a metal prosthesis, a prosthesis or a heart valve clip, presence of metal in the eye or on the body, tattooing, piercing, dental pin or if you suffer from claustrophobia. If you have any of these, please let us know in your email.
We would appreciate participants to commit to their agreement after signing the consent forms. Brain scanning is very expensive and our budget is limited. However, participants can withdraw from the study at any time they wish.
We apologize for not being able to allow for this. Upon withdrawal from the study, participants will lose access to the language training program.
All the information collected will remain confidential to the extent provided for by law.
There is a possibility that we find incidental disorders. By law, we are required to inform you and your primary healthcare provider.
We apologize but by law we are required to inform the participants and their primary health care providers. If you do not agree with this, please withdraw from this study.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We will be happy to meet over zoom or speak on the phone or respond by email.
If you are interested to take part in this project, please email us at LClab@unk.edu to begin!
