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uh, whatchamacallit? We've all been there - struggling to find the right word. 1 Slow speech could be a key indicator of dementia Credit: Getty This common lapse, known as “ lethologica ,” tends to happen more often as we age. Having word-finding difficulties isn't just frustrating - it can also be an early sign of brain changes linked to the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's - the most common form of dementia - long before other symptoms appear.
However, a recent University of Toronto study suggests that speech speed, not just trouble finding words, could be a better indicator of brain health in older adults. Their study involved using artificial intelligence software to analyse the language abilities of 125 health volunteers aged 18 to 90. Read more on Alzheimer's BREAKTHROUGH BLOW 'Miracle' Alzheimer's drug 'triggers deadly bleeds in up to a third' SLEEPY HEAD The popular sleep habit that could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s, study finds Each participant was asked to describe pictures of everyday objects while listening to an audio clip The clip repeated a word related to the object’s meaning, making it harder to recall the name or find a similar-sounding word.
Participants also took standard tests measuring focus, thinking speed, and problem-solving . They found that word-finding abilities got worse naturally with age, but were not linked to cognitive decline, a precursor for dementia. Most read in Health DEADLY BLUNDER Ten die & 5000 at risk after .
