University of Toronto study links speech speed to cognitive function

Researchers from the University of Toronto and the Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest have investigated the relationship between speech patterns and cognitive decline. The study, published in Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, involved 125 healthy adults ranging from 18 to 85 years old.

By utilizing image naming tasks and analyzing recordings of participants describing complex scenes, scientists found that the overall speed of speech is a more significant indicator of cognitive performance than the frequency or duration of pauses. While forgetting words is a common sign of aging, the study suggests that a noticeable decrease in general speech fluency and reaction time during word retrieval may be more indicative of changes in cognitive function.