Subtle Speech Changes May Signal Early Cognitive Decline, New Research Suggests
New York, NY – Scientists have identified speech patterns during memory recall that may serve as an early indicator of cognitive decline, potentially preceding noticeable impairments in customary memory tests. A study published in Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition in 2024 reveals that individuals who later exhibit signs of Alzheimer’s disease pathology often demonstrate slower speech and more frequent pauses during tasks requiring them to recall details.
Researchers found that participants exhibiting these speech characteristics did not necessarily have more difficulty producing the correct answer on memory recall tests, suggesting the issue isn’t with knowledge retention, but rather with access speed. This leads to the hypothesis that analyzing speech patterns during memory tasks could offer valuable insights into neurological changes not captured by conventional cognitive assessments.
“This suggests that speech changes reflect advancement of Alzheimer’s disease pathology even in the absence of overt cognitive impairment,” the study authors conclude. They recommend focusing on speech during delayed recall of story memory tasks as particularly informative.
The findings underscore the complex nature of Alzheimer’s and related dementias.While the presence of biomarkers like elevated tau tangles or amyloid plaques doesn’t guarantee the development of the disease, the research suggests speech analysis could provide an earlier warning system.
Longitudinal studies are now planned to track individuals with slower recall speech to determine if they are more likely to develop dementia or cognitive issues over time. Scientists are increasingly focused on decoding the nuances of human speech to better understand its connection to brain health, building on previous research into the relationship between IQ and speech processing, and the potential preventative effects of language learning.
The study was published in aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition (https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2024.2315774).
