Researchers at the University of Toronto have observed that slower speech in older adults can signal changes in cognitive abilities. Findings were published in the journal Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition (ANC) and have sparked conversations about how speech patterns reflect brain health over time.
The study enlisted 125 healthy volunteers ranging from 18 to 90 years old. Each participant completed three tasks designed to probe language and cognitive processing. In the first task, individuals identified an image and answered questions about it while a distractor audio headset delivered random words to test attention and interference management.
Next, participants described two different pictures aloud, with 60 seconds allotted for each description. The researchers used artificial intelligence software to analyze language features. They paid close attention to speaking speed and the frequency and length of pauses during the descriptions. The final phase assessed overall cognitive skills through a separate evaluation.
Results indicated that the sheer number or duration of pauses used to retrieve words did not reliably indicate poorer brain health. In contrast, a general slowing of speech rate, including slower word production, was linked to declines in cognitive abilities, with memory performance showing a notable connection.
Many older adults worry about pauses needed to find the right words. Scientists note that some slowing is a natural part of aging, while persistent or marked reductions in speech speed may raise questions about cognitive change rather than normal variation.
Earlier research in this area has shown that AI methods are capable of predicting certain cognitive risks, including patterns related to memory decline, with potential implications for early detection in the future. These advances emphasize the ongoing role of technological analysis in understanding aging and brain health.