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    We've been educating and training the state and nation's health care professionals for more than 130 years. 

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    Patient Care

    Expert care and excellent, caring providers stand ready to serve you, close to where you live and work.

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  • researchers collecting specimens

    Research

    Through innovation and discovery, we're carrying solutions to medical challenges from the research bench to the patient bedside. 

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  • UTMB graduation ceremony

    Education

    We've been educating and training the state and nation's health care professionals for more than 130 years. 

    Read More
  • Doctore checking babies heart

    Patient Care

    Expert care and excellent, caring providers stand ready to serve you, close to where you live and work.

    Find Out More
  • researchers collecting specimens

    Research

    Through innovation and discovery, we're carrying solutions to medical challenges from the research bench to the patient bedside. 

    Read More
  • UTMB graduation ceremony

    Education

    We've been educating and training the state and nation's health care professionals for more than 130 years. 

    Read More
 

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Screen shot of Dr. Brian Downer speaking

Mexican American who use both English, Spanish  exhibit better cognitive function

A new collaborative study by researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Texas, Austin has revealed significant positive findings on the cognitive benefits of dual-language use among older Mexican Americans.

The study demonstrates that Mexican American adults aged 65 and older who use both English and Spanish more equally exhibit better cognitive function compared to those who predominantly use one language. 

“These findings suggest that bilingualism, especially the balanced use of two languages, provides a cognitive advantage in older age,” said Dr. Brian Downer, the lead author of the study and Associate Professor at the Department of Population Health & Health Disparities at UTMB.

Downer goes into greater detail in the following video interview.

 

UTMB in the News

Screen shot of Dr. Brian Downer speaking

Mexican American who use both English, Spanish  exhibit better cognitive function

A new collaborative study by researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch and the University of Texas, Austin has revealed significant positive findings on the cognitive benefits of dual-language use among older Mexican Americans.

The study demonstrates that Mexican American adults aged 65 and older who use both English and Spanish more equally exhibit better cognitive function compared to those who predominantly use one language. 

“These findings suggest that bilingualism, especially the balanced use of two languages, provides a cognitive advantage in older age,” said Dr. Brian Downer, the lead author of the study and Associate Professor at the Department of Population Health & Health Disparities at UTMB.

Downer goes into greater detail in the following video interview.

 

About UTMB

The University of Texas Medical Branch established in 1891 as the University of Texas Medical Department, has grown from one building, 23 students and 13 faculty members to a modern health science center with more than 70 major buildings, more than 2,500 students and more than 1,000 faculty. Read more about UTMB»

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