How speech speed can signal brain health

Speech often betrays us at the most inconvenient moments: we grasp for a word, knowing exactly what we mean to say, but are unable to retrieve that elusive term.

This experience, known as “lethologica,” is a common symptom of aging but, in some cases, may also signal the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease, long before more obvious signs appear.

Tracking brain health through speech

Recently, a fascinating analysis sprang from the research halls of the University of Toronto.

Contrary to popular belief, they found that the speed of speech is more diagnostic of neurological health than the inability to retrieve words.

Studying a group of 125 adults – aged 18 to 85 – the researchers asked them to describe a scene in as much detail as they could.

The responses were recorded and then examined by artificial intelligence software, which measured their speech speed, the length of their pauses, and the diversity in their vocabulary.

In addition, all participants completed a range of tests aiming to evaluate their focus, thinking speed, and task management abilities.

Notably, the researchers found a correlation between a participant’s everyday speech pace and age-related cognitive decline in these “executive” skills, indicating a broader decline than just difficulty in finding the right word.

A new lens for analysis

Especially noteworthy was the introduction of a unique “picture-word interference task.” This method requires participants to first identify an object and then instruct their mouths to form the words.

Further exploring the rich tapestry of cognitive and linguistic changes that come with age, the study demonstrated a correlation between a person’s natural speech speed and their ability to name images quickly .

However, to paint a more accurate picture of our verbal adaptability, it would be beneficial to combine the results of picture-naming tests with “verbal fluency tasks” that require participants to produce as many words as possible within a short time from a given category or starting with a specific letter.

Such tasks are better indicators of everyday conversations as they involve active retrieval and production of words from one’s vocabulary.

Speech and cognitive decline

Verbal fluency tasks have another crucial function: they serve as markers of cognitive health.

Age-related changes in word retrieval ability are perfectly normal, but struggling disproportionately on these tests may be an early sign of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

To take their research even further, the Toronto team might consider gauging participants’ personal experiences of word-finding difficulties in addition to the objective measures like speech pauses.

These personal narratives could give added perspective on the cognitive processes at play.

Looking to the future

This study is a significant stride forward, and reveals that our cognitive health can be gauged not just by what we say, but also by how quickly we say it.

By harnessing our ever-advancing natural language processing technologies to detect changes in speech rate, we can identify people at risk before more severe symptoms appear.

Monitoring brain health through speech

The study highlights the growing importance of speech as a marker for understanding how the brain changes with age.

Unlike traditional cognitive tests that rely on deliberate responses, natural speech offers an organic reflection of underlying cognitive processes.

The researchers found that everyday speech patterns – such as the speed of delivery, the length of pauses, and the diversity of vocabulary – provide valuable clues about a person’s executive functioning and processing ability.

What makes speech analysis particularly compelling is its accessibility, as conversations are a part of daily life. Analysis of speech is thus a low-cost, non-invasive method for monitoring brain health.

This approach not only reduces the barriers to early detection but also opens the door for widespread use in community health settings.

Broader implications of the study

By leveraging speech, healthcare providers may identify early signs of cognitive decline in aging populations without the need for specialized equipment.

Furthermore, speech-based assessments have the potential to complement other diagnostic tools. When paired with imaging techniques or genetic testing, they can provide a more complete picture of an individual’s cognitive trajectory.

This multi-faceted approach ensures a more personalized understanding of aging and neurological health, and may lay the groundwork for proactive care strategies in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The study is published in the journal Taylor and Francis online.

—–

Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

—–