When chatting, halfway through, suddenly not remembering the “right words” is often considered a sign of cognitive decline and a prelude to dementia. But is that really the case?
A study in Canada found that forgetting words is actually a normal aging phenomenon, while “slower speech” is the true warning sign of dementia.
The research conducted by Baycrest Hospital in Canada and the University of Toronto involved 125 participants aged between 18 and 90. They were evaluated on picture recognition, picture description, and cognitive abilities.
As individuals age, many language abilities may show a decline. Participants may take longer to find the right words when speaking or writing, but this does not necessarily indicate an overall decline in cognitive abilities or signs of dementia. Instead, it is considered a normal part of aging.
Dr. Jed Meltzer, the lead author of the study and Chair of Interventional Cognitive Neuroscience at Baycrest Hospital in Canada, believes that the pauses and time taken by participants to find the correct words are not significantly related to executive brain function and do not represent the risk or extent of dementia.
On the contrary, a slower rate of speech in participants often correlates with poorer physical function and a higher risk of dementia. In other words, “slower speech” is a better indicator of brain health than “difficulty finding words.”
The study concluded that the interpretation of “forgetting words while speaking indicates possible dementia” may be misleading. Pauses or word-finding difficulties are just expressions of aging and do not necessarily mean cognitive decline. For those who frequently forget words and worry about dementia but still speak at a normal pace, they may find some relief.
Previous research has also found a phenomenon known as the tip-of-the-tongue syndrome – knowing what to say but unable to articulate it, which is not directly related to dementia.
Some scientists believe that the findings regarding “speech rate” could help in developing specific diagnostic instruments to better understand patients’ brain health conditions early on and prevent more severe dementia issues.
Even though the new study suggests a link between speech rate and dementia, scientists caution that it is not yet proven that “training to increase speech rate” can prevent dementia.
In addition to adjusting diet, exercise habits, and increasing cognitive training, most experts currently believe that “speaking multiple languages” is also an effective method for dementia prevention.
According to The New York Times, Caitlin Ware, an expert in bilingualism and brain health at Broca Hospital in France, stated that it is not about the age at which you learn a foreign language or how many languages you know, but more about how frequently you use foreign languages and switch between them in daily life.
Speaking multiple languages benefits cognitive abilities since it requires inhibiting your native language. When trying to recall the correct words in a foreign language, your brain is forced to undergo this training. Therefore, frequent use of a second language provides more cognitive training.
This process is known as cognitive inhibition.
Experts suggest that regular cognitive inhibition can enhance the brain’s resistance to the brain damage caused by dementia. When the brain’s resistance is heightened, even if brain health begins to decline, the development of dementia can be delayed.