LOS ANGELES - Speaking more than two languages may lower the risk of developing memory problems, a new study suggests.

The conclusion was based on analysis of 230 men and women with an average age of 73 who had spoken or currently spoke two to seven languages, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) said on Tuesday.

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Of the participants, 44 reported cognitive problems; the rest of the group had no memory issues.

The findings showed that those people who spoke four or more languages were five times less likely to develop cognitive problems compared to those who only spoke two languages.

People who spoke three languages were three times less likely to have cognitive problems compared to bilinguals. In addition, people who currently spoke more than two languages were also four times less likely to have cognitive impairment. The results accounted for the age and the education of the participants.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Center for Health Studies from the Public Research Center for Health (in Luxembourg), will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu from April 9 to 16, 2011, the AAAS said.

"It appears speaking more than two languages has a protective effect on memory in seniors who practice foreign languages over their lifetime or at the time of the study," said study author Magali Perquin, PhD.

"Further studies are needed to try to confirm these findings and determine whether the protection is limited to thinking skills related to language or if it also extends beyond that and benefits other areas of cognition," said Perquin.

Perquin is helping to lead the MemoVie study which involves a consortium of partners from different hospitals and institutions, according to the AAAS.