What is the research about?
This project aims to study cognitive effects of learning a new language on healthy aging.
Who can participate?
- Men and women,
- Aged between 60 and 70 years old,
- Speak only English: Cannot function in any other language
- Motivated to learn a language
- Normal or corrected vision and hearing
- Don’t suffer from memory problems or learning disabilities
- No depression
- No neurological disorders
What will I do as a participant?: You can participate in this research project as a member of two groups of participants;
Group 1: Healthy seniors who will learn a language and report for neuropsychological evaluations, and two fMRI scanning sessions
- Additional Criteria: Not Claustrophobic
Group 2: Healthy seniors who will report for neuropsychological evaluations. No neuroimaging sessions.
- You will be tested at 2 time points over 4 months
- You will receive access to a computerized program to learn a language of your choice (out of a list) for a period of one year.
- You will receive technical support to solve problems from a graduate student
What are the tests? The tests will evaluate:
- Your neuropsychological (mental) health: attention, memory, learning and decision making,
- Your language proficiency in any other second language
- Your life style routines
- Your brain structure and function if you are in Group 1 (using an fMRI scanner)
How many times will I be tested?
- Before training (Time 0),
- After 4 months (Time 1),
How long will each visit take? The study requires the participants to report 2 times over 4 months; each time will include
- 2 hours behavioral testing
- 1 hour fMRI scanning,
What will I do between the two test sessions? Every day for 1 hour 30 minutes (can be spread out throughout the day), you will practice a new language by following the instructions on Roseta Stone.
Please contact us at LCLab@unk.edu if you have a question or would like to participate in this project.
Annonce publicitaire approuvée le 3 mai 2019 par le Comité central d’éthique de la recherche du ministre de la Santé et des Services sociaux dans le cadre du projet CCER 18-19 – 17.