"Speech Rate and Brain Health: The Surprising Connection"

A study by Baycrest and the University of Toronto suggests that talking speed is a more important indicator of brain health than difficulty finding words, which appears to be a normal part of aging. The research, involving 125 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 90, utilized AI software to analyze language performance, focusing on speech rate and word-finding pauses. Slower talking speed was associated with weaker executive functions, suggesting that speech rate could be a crucial marker for detecting cognitive changes early on. This research supports the inclusion of speech speed tests in cognitive assessments to identify early signs of cognitive decline.