Speech Patterns Carry Important Signs of Brain Aging and Dementia Risk

A comprehensive study conducted in Latin America revealed that people's speech patterns provide important signals about brain aging, cognitive functions, and dementia risk. The speech age difference of individuals was determined using a developed artificial intelligence tool.

Relationship Between Speech Pattern and Aging

Researchers state that speech age is not limited to tone of voice alone, but also holds clues about cognitive functions, brain processes, and the social environment. Voice recordings of approximately 3,000 Spanish-speaking adults in Latin America were examined in detail. Participants were asked to narrate an animated film, tell a story, and name objects.

AI-Powered Speech Clock Tool

Using machine learning techniques, hundreds of features such as speech rate, pauses, pitch, vocabulary, and semantic accuracy were analyzed. Based on the data obtained, an individual speech age difference was calculated. This developed speech clock successfully distinguished healthy individuals from dementia patients.

Dementia and Brain Tissue Loss

While the speech age difference remained at the lowest level in healthy participants, it was observed to increase in individuals with Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia types. Accelerated aging signs were detected in those with a speech profile older than their chronological age. Brain MRI scans showed greater brain tissue loss and activity changes in these individuals.

Biomarkers and Test Performance

Older speech scores were directly associated with high blood levels of the p-Tau217 protein related to Alzheimer's disease. Participants with high speech ages were found to perform lower on memory, attention, and problem-solving tests. Experts emphasize that the voice carries much more information about the aging process than previously known.