A neural basis for the effect of bilingual language control on cognitive control

It has been observed that bilinguals have an advantage on tests of cognitive control, such as the Simon task (Bialystok et al. 2004). This advantage has been attributed to the bilingual's need to constantly manage two competing languages. However, the neural correlates of this effect have not been fully understood. Although many of the networks in the brain used for cognitive control are also used for language control, it has been argued (Frühholz et al. 2010) that different types of conflicts rely on distinct neural mechanisms of conflict processing. The present study sought to explore potential overlaps in the brain circuits involved in cognitive language and control in order to provide a tentative basis for the bilingual cognitive advantage.