Verbal fluency as a predictor of early cognitive decline
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Finding the Right Words: Can novel speech metrics of verbal fluency performance forecast cognitive trajectories over time?
IRAS ID
339410
Contact name
Claire Lancaster
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Sussex
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Na, Na
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study examines whether speech patterns during verbal fluency tasks can detect early cognitive impairment in older adults referred to memory clinics. We will recruit 280 participants aged 65+: ~140 people referred to NHS memory clinics with cognitive concerns and ~140 cognitively healthy controls.
Participants will complete verbal fluency tasks (naming words in a category or starting with a certain letter) and tests of memory, attention, and language. We'll record their speech during these tasks and analyze it using computerized techniques to extract metrics about word choices and fluency (e.g., pauses, hesitations).
Speech-based verbal fluency tasks are quick and easy to administer. Recent advances in computerized speech analysis enable extraction of subtle vocal metrics reflective of neurocognitive decline. This study will determine whether scalable speech biomarkers can be derived from verbal fluency testing in older adults.
We'll examine how these speech-based metrics compare to standard neuropsychological assessments in detecting subtle, early cognitive changes. By including participants with varying levels of cognitive function, we aim to identify early signs of decline that might be missed by typical tests.
The study will investigate whether these characteristics differ between groups, relate to other cognitive test performance, and predict future cognitive decline after 12 months. We'll also examine if speech patterns differ based on participants' ultimate diagnoses (e.g., mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's, vascular dementia).
This research could determine if speech analysis during verbal fluency assessments offers a sensitive, easy-to-collect early marker of cognitive vulnerability in older adults, potentially serving as a diagnostic aid complementing standard clinical assessments.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
25/WA/0010
Date of REC Opinion
20 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion