An early diagnosis can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Some researchers are examining whether subtle changes in speech could lead to earlier detection and better management of cognitive decline.
While forgetfulness is common with age, when issues with speech and memory become frequent or interfere with daily life, it might signal a problem.
In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, people may struggle to follow conversations, repeat themselves, or have trouble finding appropriate words.
Two recent studies suggest that minor changes in speech could be an indicator of cognitive decline. A 2024 study in Alzheimer’s and Dementia found that a slowed rate of speech and long pauses between words during memory recall may indicate early Alzheimer's development.
Another study, published in the journal Aging, Neuropsychology, and Cognition, showed that healthy adults who speak more slowly might also be displaying early signs of cognitive decline.
"As a field of neuropsychology, we are actively searching for ways to detect the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease," Emma Weizenbaum, PhD, a neuropsychologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told Verywell in an email.
While speech-based testing could become part of early diagnostic tools, more research is needed. "We are just beginning to understand the early signs and signals of neurodegenerative disease. This research is exciting but should be interpreted cautiously without direct clinical application at this time," she said.
Researchers have started exploring how AI tools can monitor Alzheimer's progression. A recent study used an AI tool to detect speech changes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment, proving 78% accurate in predicting Alzheimer's diagnosis over six years.
"Speech analysis tools should be approached holistically: a standalone diagnosis isn’t helpful without knowing how to use the diagnostic outcomes," said Jeanne Gallée, PhD, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist and postdoctoral fellow at the UW School of Medicine’s Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.
Communication can become challenging in early Alzheimer's. For those with loved ones experiencing cognitive decline or dementia, learning effective communication strategies helps—try including them in conversations, giving extra time to respond to questions, and exploring their preferred methods.
"Any form of speech and language intervention aimed at maintaining communication or finding compensatory strategies will have a significant impact on overall quality of life, autonomy, and daily functioning," Gallée said.
Researchers are investigating how small speech changes could help detect Alzheimer’s earlier. If your loved one is experiencing frequent memory issues or altered speech patterns, it may be worthwhile to consult a healthcare provider.