AI-Powered Study Links Speech Speed to Early Cognitive Decline
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered that the speed of speech may be a more accurate indicator of brain health and early cognitive decline than the difficulty in finding words.
Researchers observed 125 healthy individuals, aged 18 to 90, describing a scene in detail.
Artificial intelligence (AI) software analyzed these descriptions for features such as talking speed, pause duration, and word variety, according to ScienceAlert.
Participants also underwent tests measuring concentration, thinking speed, and task execution abilities. Findings revealed that age-related decline in these executive functions closely correlated with the pace of everyday speech.
A novel aspect of the study included a "picture-word interference task," designed to differentiate between naming an object and articulating it.
During the task, participants viewed pictures of common objects while hearing related or similar-sounding words.
Results indicated that older adults' natural speech speed related to their quickness in naming pictures.
This suggests a general slowdown in processing, rather than specific memory retrieval challenges.
While the study's findings are intriguing, verbal fluency tasks might better capture the complexity of everyday vocabulary than picture-based cues.
Verbal fluency tasks involve generating as many words as possible from a given category or starting with a specific letter within a time limit.
These tasks better simulate natural speech processes and can indicate neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's when performance is poor.
The verbal fluency test engages various brain regions involved in language, memory, and executive functioning, providing insights into which brain areas are affected by cognitive decline.
Personal reports of word-finding difficulties could offer additional insights, complementing objective measures like speech pauses.
This study opens new avenues for future research, highlighting that speech speed can reveal cognitive changes.
Harnessing AI and natural language processing technologies, this work advances previous studies by providing a systematic and forward-looking approach to detecting early cognitive decline.
This underscores the potential of speech rate changes as a subtle yet significant marker of cognitive health, aiding in early identification of at-risk individuals.