Alzheimer’s Warning – Subtle Change in Speaking Speed May Be an Early Sign, Researchers Say

Published On: September 15, 2025

How fast you talk might be saying more than you think—literally. According to new research, our speaking speed could be a silent but powerful clue about our brain health. For years, scientists have focused on memory as a key signal of cognitive decline. But now, attention is shifting to how we express ourselves, especially the pace of our speech. And the results might surprise you.

Findings

In a recent study from the University of Toronto, researchers analyzed the speech of 125 healthy adults, aged between 18 and 90. The goal? To figure out how speaking speed connects to brain function.

The experiment had two parts. First, participants were asked to describe a scene in detail. This helped the researchers measure how quickly and naturally they spoke. Then came the second test: they were shown pictures of objects and heard audio cues—some helpful (like rhymes broom/groom) and some confusing (like broom/mop).

The outcome was clear. People who spoke faster in the first task also performed quicker in the second. That means faster talkers tend to process and respond to information more efficiently.

Processing

This discovery ties into something called the “processing speed theory.” It’s the idea that as we age, the brain’s ability to process information slows down—not necessarily because of memory loss, but because everything just moves more slowly up there.

This slowdown explains why older adults often pause more in speech, use filler words like “um” or “eh,” and generally speak at a slower pace than younger people. It’s not forgetfulness—it’s lag.

Alzheimer

So, what does this have to do with Alzheimer’s disease? Quite a lot. Alzheimer’s is usually diagnosed when memory problems become obvious, but researchers now believe speech changes could show up long before that.

In fact, artificial intelligence tools are already being used to detect Alzheimer’s based on speech patterns. Some systems can predict a diagnosis with an accuracy of up to 78.5%—just by analyzing how someone talks.

Other studies support this link. People with more amyloid plaque buildup in the brain (a marker of Alzheimer’s) are 1.2 times more likely to have trouble with speech. Slow speaking has also been linked to higher levels of tau proteins—another sign of the disease.

Detection

So, what if we could track speech and catch these issues early? Well, that’s where the future is heading.

Analyzing speaking speed could lead to new, simple tools for spotting cognitive decline. Imagine just recording a phone call or a casual conversation and using that data to assess brain health. It would be:

Non-invasive
Easy to implement anywhere
Useful for starting treatment early, improving long-term outcomes

That’s a massive win for public health.

Prevention

While speaking speed is influenced by age and biology, there are some habits that might help keep your brain sharper for longer. Here are some useful activities to try:

Practice	Benefit
Reading aloud	Boosts language and cognitive skills
Memory/vocabulary games	Stimulates mental agility
Active social life	Keeps communication flowing
Regular physical exercise	Supports overall brain health

These activities won’t stop aging, but they might help slow down its cognitive effects—and that includes keeping your speech patterns strong.

Thanks to this fascinating study, we now know that it’s not just what we say, but how we say it that matters. Speaking more slowly, pausing often, or struggling to find words could be early signs that the brain is changing. It’s not something to panic over—but it’s definitely worth watching.

Science is bringing us closer to early detection methods that could change how we deal with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases. And the best part? It might be as simple as listening.