Indication within discourse indicative of potential cognitive deterioration
Struggling to find that elusive word in the heat of a conversation? We've all been there. But for older adults, it can spark a wave of worry. Picture this – you're deep in conversation, the word you're after is on the tip of your tongue, but it just won't come out.
It's frustrating, no doubt, and a little alarming since it may make you question your cognitive abilities. But fear not, according to researchers, this isn't a red flag for overall cognitive decline.
On the flip side, there's another change in your speech that might be worth paying attention to – slowing down. A study led by researchers at the University of Toronto hints that this could be a more telling sign of changes to your brain's health.
In this study, they surveyed 125 volunteers between the ages of 18 and 90. They were put through three assessments. First, they had to answer questions about pictures while filtering out irrelevant, distracting words. Then, they described complex pictures for 60 seconds each, and researchers analyzed their speech using AI-based software.
Lastly, they completed standard tests measuring their executive function – the ability to manage conflicting information and avoid distractions.
As expected, as age advanced, subjects had more trouble recognizing pictures and recalling their names. Surprisingly, this wasn't linked to a decline in other cognitive abilities. However, their speaking speed during the test was tied to their cognitive health.
Dr. Jed Meltzer, the study's lead author, explained that slow talking speed could be a signal of cognitive decline. They suggested that talking speed should be included in standard cognitive assessments to help detect cognitive decline earlier and support brain health in older adults.
So, the next time you're singing along in a choir or recording a voiceover, remember that maintaining your speaking speed could be beneficial for your brain health. Singing in a chorus, for instance, pushes you to keep up with the music, which could potentially strengthen cognitive skills.
As for maintaining your talking speed, there might be fun and social ways to keep it going. Consider joining a choir, taking up a musical instrument, or even recording voiceovers regularly!
[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/brb3.161[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.670881/full[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6539671/
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- As we age, maintaining our speaking speed could be crucial for brain health, as suggested by a study led by researchers at the University of Toronto.
- This study, published in the journal Brain and Behavior, also proposed including talking speed in standard cognitive assessments to help detect cognitive decline earlier.
- For individuals seeking to enhance their health-and-wellness, mental-health, and learning, activities such as singing in a choir, taking up a musical instrument, or regular voiceover recording could potentially aid in preserving cognitive function throughout the aging process.
