Abstract
We tested the hypothesis that early bilinguals use language-control brain areas more than monolinguals when performing non-linguistic executive control tasks. We do so by exploring the brain activity of early bilinguals and monolinguals in a task-switching paradigm using an embedded critical trial design. Crucially, the task was designed such that the behavioural performance of the two groups was comparable, allowing then to have a safer comparison between the corresponding brain activity in the two groups. Despite the lack of behavioural differences between both groups, early bilinguals used language-control areas – such as left caudate, and left inferior and middle frontal gyri – more than monolinguals, when performing the switching task. Results offer direct support for the notion that, early bilingualism exerts an effect in the neural circuitry responsible for executive control. This effect partially involves the recruitment of brain areas involved in language control when performing domain-general executive control tasks, highlighting the cross-talk between these two domains.
Highlights
It is well-accepted that the continuous and extensive training of language-control abilities in bilingual speakers affects the development and functioning of executive control (EC)systems
Switch costs were analysed by comparing the responses in the first target trial following repeat and switch cues
Early bilinguals and monolinguals performed a non-linguistic switching task with low-monitoring demands, which involved runs of target trials intermittently interrupted by the presentation of instructional cues
Summary
It is well-accepted that the continuous and extensive training of language-control abilities in bilingual speakers affects the development and functioning of executive control (EC)systems. Bilinguals tend to outperform monolinguals in tasks that involve conflict resolution and monitoring, set shifting, etc. Much less is known about the impact of bilingualism on the brain organization of EC functions. The few studies that have addressed this issue suggest that bilingualism does affect the efficiency of the EC functioning, and the brain structures recruited when performing EC tasks [4], [5], [6], [7]. The main aim of the present study is to further advance in our knowledge of the impact of bilingualism on the brain networks involved in EC. We put to test the hypothesis that bilinguals will recruit language related areas when performing EC tasks to a larger extent than monolinguals
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