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Advances in Speech and Language Research for Cognitive Well-Being in...
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Advances in Speech and Language Research for Cognitive Well-Being in Aging

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurolinguistics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 December 2025 | Viewed by 2716

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Teresa Carthery-Goulart

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Guest Editor
1. Human Communication, Learning, and Development Unit, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
2. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology Unit, Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
3. Center for Mathematics, Computing and Cognition, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Santo André, Brazil
Interests: language and cognition in aging; cognitive rehabilitation; aphasia; primary progressive aphasia; acquired dyslexia and dysgraphia
Dr. Lilian Cristine Hubner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Linguistics Department, School of Humanities, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Interests: language and cognition; aging; bi- and multilingualism; cognitive decline; language and cognitive assessment
Dr. Erica Dos Santos Rodrigues

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Department of Language Studies, Center for Theology and Human Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), Porto Alegre 90010-150, Brazil
Interests: language production; language comprehension; aging; writing and reading processes; keystroke logging; eye-tracking; syntactic processing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue explores how speech and language abilities in aging populations support cognitive well-being, serving as markers, predictors, or intervention targets for cognitive decline. We invite studies bridging speech and language sciences, psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience to advance early prevention, diagnosis, and communication-focused interventions for older adults, including those cognitively healthy, those with mild cognitive impairment, or those with neurodegenerative disorders. Submissions may use methods such as behavioral assessments, technology-enhanced speech and language analysis (e.g., AI-driven approaches), and communication-focused interventions delivered via telehealth or combined with non-invasive neuromodulation.

We welcome research on communication trajectories in aging and cross-cultural or cross-linguistic perspectives informing cognitive health interventions. Key themes include (1) speech and language as biomarkers of cognitive decline or indicators of cognitive reserve; (2) communication-focused interventions to support cognitive well-being, address social isolation, or prevent cognitive decline; and (3) cross-cultural or lifespan perspectives on aging-related communication changes.

Dr. Maria Teresa Carthery-Goulart
Guest Editor

Dr. Lilian Cristine Hubner
Dr. Erica Dos Santos Rodrigues
Guest Editor Assistants

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • communication skills
  • language abilities
  • speech
  • cognitive function
  • neurodegenerative diseases
  • neuromodulation

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 2233 KB  
Article
Strengthening the Aging Brain: Functional Connectivity Changes After a Language-Based Cognitive Program
by Anne-Sophie Beaumier, Ana Paula Bastos, Bárbara Malcorra, Bárbara Rusch da Rocha, Vanessa Bisol, Fernanda Souza Espinosa Borges, Erica dos Santos Rodrigues, Maria Teresa Carthery-Goulart, Lucas Porcello Schilling, Karine Marcotte and Lilian Cristine Hübner
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(11), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15111139 - 24 Oct 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that cognitive training can induce functional reorganization of intrinsic connectivity networks involved in higher-order cognitive processes. However, few interventions have specifically targeted language, an essential domain tightly interwoven with memory, attention, and executive functions. Given their foundational role in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Accumulating evidence suggests that cognitive training can induce functional reorganization of intrinsic connectivity networks involved in higher-order cognitive processes. However, few interventions have specifically targeted language, an essential domain tightly interwoven with memory, attention, and executive functions. Given their foundational role in communication, reasoning, and knowledge acquisition, enhancing language-related abilities may yield widespread cognitive benefits. This study investigated the neural impact of a new structured, language-based cognitive training program on neurotypical older adults. Methods: Twenty Brazilian Portuguese-speaking women (aged 63–77 years; schooling 9–20 years; low-to-medium socioeconomic status) participated in linguistic activities designed to engage language and general cognitive processing. Behavioral testing and resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) were conducted before and after the intervention. Results: Functional connectivity analyses revealed significant post-intervention increases in connectivity within the frontoparietal network, critical for language processing, and the ventral attentional network, associated with attentional control. Conclusions: The observed neural enhancements indicate substantial plasticity in cognitive networks among older adults, highlighting the effectiveness of linguistic interventions in modulating critical cognitive functions. These findings provide a foundation for future research on targeted cognitive interventions to promote healthy aging and sustain cognitive vitality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Speech and Language Research for Cognitive Well-Being in Aging)
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16 pages, 2716 KB  
Article
Language Learning as a Non-Pharmacological Intervention in Older Adults with (Past) Depression
by Jelle Brouwer, Floor van den Berg, Remco Knooihuizen, Hanneke Loerts and Merel Keijzer
Brain Sci. 2025, 15(9), 991; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15090991 - 15 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Background: Language learning has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to promote healthy aging. This intervention has not been studied in older adults with a history of depression, who experience high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction. This small-scale study was the first to investigate [...] Read more.
Background: Language learning has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention to promote healthy aging. This intervention has not been studied in older adults with a history of depression, who experience high prevalence of cognitive dysfunction. This small-scale study was the first to investigate the potential efficacy of language learning in older adults with (past) depression. Methods: Data on psychosocial well-being, cognitive functioning, and language outcomes were collected in nineteen participants with (past) depression (M = 69.7 years old, SD = 2.9; 79% women, 21% men) and a control group of fifteen older adults without depression in the past 25 years (M = 70.1 years old, SD = 3.8; 60% women, 40% men). Data were collected before, immediately after, and four months after completing a three-month language course. Results: Participants with (past) depression showed significant decreases in apathy, social loneliness, and cognitive failures, and increases in associative memory and global cognition. The control group improved on associative memory and letter-number sequencing. Both groups improved in linguistic self-confidence and lexical access to English, while the group with (past) depression also improved on listening and speaking proficiency. Conclusions: The intervention had limited benefits for cognition and psychosocial well-being, but (longer) group-based learning interventions may build up social and motivational reserves protecting against morbidity. Research with larger samples and a no-training control sample is needed to further support these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Speech and Language Research for Cognitive Well-Being in Aging)
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