The way we speak in daily life might say more about us than we realize.
A new study from Baycrest, the University of Toronto, and York University suggests that simple details in how we talk could reveal important information about how healthy our brain is.
Researchers found that tiny features in natural speech—like how long we pause, how often we say ‘uh’ or ‘um,’ and how easily we find words—are closely linked to how well our brain handles memory, planning, and flexible thinking.
These mental abilities, known together as executive functions, help us make decisions, solve problems, and adapt to new situations. This research, published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, shows a direct link between how we talk and how our brain works.
It’s one of the first studies to do so. It builds on earlier findings that showed people who speak faster tend to have better thinking skills as they age. Dr. Jed Meltzer, Senior Scientist at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute and senior author of the study, explained that speech timing isn’t just about style—it’s a sensitive sign of how healthy our brain is.
He and his team wanted to understand whether small patterns in normal conversation could show differences in thinking skills across adults of all ages. In the study, participants were asked to describe detailed pictures in their own words, as naturally as possible. They also completed traditional tests that measure executive function.
Artificial intelligence tools were then used to analyze the speech recordings. The AI identified hundreds of small features, such as the length of pauses, the use of filler words, and the timing between phrases.
Surprisingly, these subtle patterns could accurately predict how well each person performed on the cognitive tests, even when researchers considered other factors like age, gender, and education. Executive function is essential for daily life but often declines with age. It can also be one of the first things affected in people developing dementia.
However, measuring these skills accurately can be difficult. Standard tests often take a long time and can become less effective when people get used to them. Natural speech, on the other hand, happens all the time and can be measured easily, repeatedly, and even through phone or computer recordings.
This makes it a powerful and practical way to track brain health over time. Researchers also pointed out that speech offers something special—it reflects how quickly the brain processes information without forcing people to race against the clock. Traditional tests usually include strict time limits, which can add stress or skew results.
In contrast, speech-based analysis allows scientists to see how the brain works in real, everyday settings. Because of these advantages, analyzing speech could become an easy and non-invasive way to check for early signs of cognitive decline.
Doctors may one day use short recordings of natural conversation to spot people whose thinking is changing faster than normal. Those individuals could then receive extra care, support, or early treatment before serious memory problems appear.
Dr. Meltzer said this research opens the door to developing tools that can monitor brain health both in clinics and at home. Early detection is crucial, especially for conditions like dementia, where brain changes happen slowly over many years. Detecting those changes early could allow doctors to intervene sooner and help slow the progression of disease.
Still, the researchers say that more work is needed. They hope future studies will follow people over time to see how their speech changes with age and whether those changes can predict disease before symptoms appear.
They also suggest combining speech analysis with other kinds of tests, such as brain scans or memory assessments, to make diagnosis even more accurate. In summary, this study highlights a fascinating truth: our voices carry hidden clues about the state of our mind.
By listening closely to how we speak, scientists may one day help millions detect early cognitive decline before it becomes serious. The study reminds us that everyday speech isn’t just conversation—it’s a reflection of the brain’s inner workings.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that Vitamin B may slow down cognitive decline, and Mediterranean diet could help lower risk of Parkinson’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how wheat gluten might be influencing our brain health, and Olive oil: a daily dose for better brain health..
The study is published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
