The Importance of Talking Speed in Assessing Brain Health
Talking speed may be a more important indicator of brain health than word-finding difficulties in old age, according to a study by researchers at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care and the University of Toronto. The study included 125 healthy volunteers and found that changes in general talking speed may reflect changes in the brain, suggesting it should be tested as part of standard cognitive assessments.
Key Points
- Talking speed is more predictive of brain health than word-finding difficulties
- Results suggest that pausing to find words is a normal part of aging and may not indicate cognitive decline
- Future studies will analyze if speech speed is truly predictive of brain health changes over time
Pros
- Talking speed can serve as an important indicator of brain health
- May help clinicians detect cognitive decline faster in older adults
- Results suggest that slowing down of normal speech is a significant indicator of brain health changes
Cons
- Word-finding difficulties in old age may not be as strong an indicator of brain health as previously thought