Early detection of dementia may be possible by analyzing speech patterns, according to a recent study from the University of Toronto.
The study has found that the speed at which older individuals speak can be a key indicator of their cognitive health.
This discovery offers new insights into the early signs of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Study Details
Researchers analyzed the language patterns of 125 healthy adults, aged 18 to 90, using artificial intelligence (AI).
Participants were asked to describe a scene while their speaking speed and pauses between words were measured.
The findings revealed that slower speaking rates often indicate a broader cognitive slowing, beyond just the difficulty of finding the right words.
Cognitive Processes and Speech
An interesting aspect of the study involved the "picture-word interference task," where participants viewed pictures of everyday objects while hearing irrelevant words.
This task aimed to separate the cognitive processes of word finding and speaking.
The study found that the speed at which older adults named pictures correlated with their overall speaking rate, suggesting a general slowing of cognitive processing with age.
Potential for Early Detection
This research highlights the potential for using natural language processing technologies to detect early signs of cognitive impairment.
By analyzing speaking rate and other language characteristics, doctors may be able to identify individuals at risk for neurodegenerative diseases at an early stage.
According to ScienceAlert, the study's results could pave the way for new diagnostic tools that rely on subtle speech patterns to monitor cognitive health.
