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Prefrontal Hemodynamic Correlates of Pragmatic Language Processing in Monolingual and Bilingual Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: An fNIRS Study
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| Subject:
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Clinical Applications of Brain Mappin
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Presenter Author:
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| Name:
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Pardis Bidadian
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Author:
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| Name 1:
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Pardis Bidadian - Corresponding - Presenter
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| Affiliation 1:
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Department of Cognitive Psychology, University of Tehran, Caspian International Campus, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
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Original Research
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introduction :
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Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is considered an intermediate stage between normal aging and dementia and is characterized by subtle but clinically relevant cognitive decline. Among cognitive domains, pragmatic language abilities—such as discourse coherence, inference making, and context-appropriate language use—have been identified as sensitive indicators of early cognitive deterioration in MCI. Pragmatic language processing requires the integration of linguistic knowledge with higher-order cognitive processes, including executive control and attention, which are primarily supported by prefrontal brain regions.
Bilingualism has been proposed as a contributor to cognitive reserve, potentially enabling individuals to better cope with age-related cognitive decline and neuropathology. Behavioral evidence suggests that bilingual individuals with MCI may show relatively preserved executive and language functions compared to monolingual individuals. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this potential bilingual advantage, particularly in pragmatic language processing, remain insufficiently understood.
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive and movement-tolerant neuroimaging technique well suited for older adults and clinical populations. Its ability to measure cortical hemodynamic responses during naturalistic spoken language tasks makes it an appropriate method for investigating the neural correlates of pragmatic language processing, especially in prefrontal regions involved in both language and executive control.
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Methods:
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This study employs a comparative cognitive-neuroscientific design. Participants include individuals diagnosed with MCI, divided into monolingual and bilingual groups matched for age, education, and general cognitive status. Participants perform pragmatic language tasks involving discourse comprehension, inference generation, and contextual interpretation. To increase cognitive demands, selected tasks incorporate an executive control component, such as dual-task conditions. During task performance, hemodynamic responses are recorded using fNIRS, focusing on changes in oxygenated (HbO) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) concentrations in prefrontal regions, particularly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Behavioral performance measures are collected concurrently.
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Results:
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It is hypothesized that bilingual individuals with MCI will demonstrate more efficient prefrontal activation patterns during pragmatic language processing, reflected by reduced or more focal HbO responses compared to monolingual individuals. Stronger associations between executive control performance and pragmatic language outcomes are also expected in the bilingual group.
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Conclusion:
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By integrating behavioral measures with fNIRS-based neuroimaging, this study aims to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying pragmatic language processing in MCI and to elucidate the contribution of bilingualism to cognitive reserve at the neural level. Identifying prefrontal hemodynamic markers associated with preserved pragmatic language may have important implications for early detection and the development of targeted cognitive interventions in individuals at risk for dementia.
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| Attachment:
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| Keywords:
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Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Pragmatic Language Processing, Bilingualism, Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), Prefrontal Cortex, Cognitive Reserve
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