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Learning to speak a second language at any point in your life could help keep your brain sharp as you age, a study suggests.

Academics at the University of Edinburgh detected a pattern of slower mental decline among the bilingual in a group of 835 born in 1936.

They were given an intelligence test in 1947 at the age of 11, then retested in their early 70s between 2008 and 2010.

Language classes: Academics at the University of Edinburgh detected a pattern of slower mental decline among the bilingual in a group of 835 born in 1936

A total of 262 participants could communicate in at least one language other than English. Of those, 195 learnt the second language before the age of 18.

Those who spoke two or more languages had significantly better cognitive abilities in their 70s than their peers. The strongest effect of bilingualism was seen in general intelligence and reading tests.

Dr Thomas Bak, who led the research, published in the Annals of Neurology, said: 'Our study is the first to examine whether learning a second language impacts cognitive performance later in life while controlling for childhood intelligence.

'The Lothian Birth Cohort offers a unique opportunity to study the interaction between bilingualism and cognitive aging, taking into account the cognitive abilities predating the acquisition of a second language.

'These findings are of considerable practical relevance. Millions of people around the world acquire their second language later in life.

Help: Previous research had suggested that bilingualism might improve cognition and delay dementia

'Our study shows that bilingualism, even when acquired in adulthood, may benefit the ageing brain.'

Experts said the research opened the doors to further investigations which may help doctors find new ways to understand mental decline in older people.

Previous research had suggested that bilingualism might improve cognition and delay dementia.

But until now scientists were unsure whether learning a second language improved mental stamina, or whether those with better cognitive functions were more likely to become bilingual.

Professor Alvaro Pascual-Leone, of Harvard Medical School, said: 'The epidemiological study by Dr Bak and colleagues provides an important first step in understanding the impact of learning a second language and the aging brain.'