The way people speak during everyday conversation may reveal subtle changes in brain health, according to a recent study by Baycrest, the University of Toronto, and York University. The research found that small speech details such as pauses, filler words like "um" or "uh," and difficulty retrieving words are closely linked to executive function, the set of mental abilities that includes memory, planning, attention, and flexible thinking. [1]
In the study, participants described complex images while researchers recorded their speech and also administered standard cognitive tests. Using artificial intelligence, the team analyzed the recordings, detecting hundreds of fine-grained features including speech timing, rhythm, and word-finding patterns. These speech markers reliably predicted performance on the executive function tests, even after accounting for age, sex, and education level. The study expands on earlier work (Wei et al., 2024) that showed faster talking speed in older adults is associated with preserved cognitive abilities over time.
Executive function naturally declines with age and is often impaired early in dementia. However, traditional cognitive assessments are time‑consuming and can be affected by practice effects. Natural speech can be measured unobtrusively and repeatedly—potentially even at home—offering a practical method for detecting cognitive decline earlier. "The message is clear: speech timing is more than just a matter of style—it’s a sensitive indicator of brain health," said Dr. Jed Meltzer, senior scientist at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute and senior author of the study. The findings were published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.