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Cortical thickness increases after simultaneous interpretation training
Alexis Hervais-Adelman1, Barbara Moser-Mercer2, Micah M Murray3
1Brain and Language Lab, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Neuropsychologia
|January 13, 2017
Summary
Simultaneous interpretation training increases cortical thickness in specific brain regions. These changes support language processing, speech formulation, and executive functions like attention.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Linguistics
Background:
- Simultaneous interpretation is a demanding cognitive task requiring advanced language skills and executive functions.
- Bilingualism is known to enhance certain cognitive abilities, but the effects of intensive interpreter training are less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroplastic effects of simultaneous interpretation training on cortical structure.
- To identify specific brain regions affected by this training and their relation to cognitive demands.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure cortical thickness.
- Simultaneous interpretation trainees were scanned before and after a Master's program.
- A control group of multilingual individuals was scanned over the same time interval for comparison.
Main Results:
- Trainee interpreters showed significant increases in cortical thickness, unlike the control group.
- These increases were observed in areas associated with phonetic processing, speech formulation, working memory sequencing, and executive control/attention.
- Affected regions include the left posterior superior temporal gyrus, anterior supramarginal gyrus, planum temporale, right angular gyrus, right dorsal premotor cortex, and right parietal lobule.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous interpretation training induces structural brain changes (neuroplasticity) in relevant functional areas.
- Findings align with the cognitive demands of simultaneous interpreting, including linguistic processing and domain-general executive control.
- This training may offer cognitive benefits beyond those of bilingualism alone, potentially enhancing executive and attentional skills.
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