Subtle changes in the way we speak could be among the earliest warning signs of dementia, researchers have warned. Nearly one million people in the UK are living with dementia, a degenerative illness that gradually impairs memory, thinking skills, and behaviour. Common symptoms include forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, confusion about times and places, and mood changes. However, dementia can also affect speech, making it harder for individuals to find the right words or follow conversations.
Speech Patterns as Early Indicators
Researchers now believe that analysing speech patterns may be an important tool for identifying individuals in the earliest stages of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for 40 per cent of cases. A review of studies on speech and language found that patterns in how people speak—including word choice and sentence structure—could be linked to the condition.
Dr Tim Beanland, head of knowledge and learning at the Alzheimer's Society, explained that language is one of the most complex functions the brain performs. He told The Telegraph: 'A conversation – holding the other person's words in mind and converting them into meaning – relies on the coordination of a network of different areas of the brain.' Experts believe that when the brain begins to lose the ability to manage these processes, early symptoms of Alzheimer's can emerge.
Filler Words and Hesitation
One possible early sign of dementia is an increased reliance on filler words such as 'uh', 'erm', and 'ah' while trying to complete a sentence. While hesitation is normal and often reflects a struggle to find the right word, experts say that when these pauses become more frequent over time, they could point to underlying cognitive changes and potentially be a sign of dementia.
Dr Beanland compared natural age-related brain changes to going from a three-lane motorway to a two-lane motorway: 'Information still gets through, but it's slower.' This can make it harder to retrieve words quickly, leading people to rely more heavily on placeholder sounds. Research from the University of Toronto has also suggested that frequent use of filler words may reflect problems with executive function—the mental processes responsible for receiving, understanding, and responding to information.
Slower Speech as a Warning
Dr Emer MacSweeney, a consultant neuroradiologist and chief executive of a clinic conducting Alzheimer's trials, stated: 'In people with early Alzheimer's disease, it's not just the occasional hesitation, but a pattern that becomes more obvious over time.' She warned that a noticeable slowing of speech could be a 'worrying sign' of cognitive decline.
The University of Toronto study analysed 125 adults aged 18 to 85, asking participants to analyse images of everyday objects while listening to distracting words. This allowed scientists to assess how quickly and effectively they could retrieve the correct terms under pressure. The study also examined speech patterns, including how often participants paused during sentences. Researchers found that those who spoke more fluently and quickly tended to perform better in cognitive tests, suggesting that speech speed may be linked to brain function.
Simplified Language and Connective Words
Furthermore, researchers have found that using fewer connective words in conversation could be linked to early dementia. Although people with Alzheimer's often still form grammatically correct sentences, studies suggest they may begin simplifying their language. This can mean using fewer linking words such as 'because' and 'although', which help connect different parts of a sentence. Instead of saying, 'I stayed home because I was feeling tired after work,' someone might say, 'I stayed home. I was tired after work.'
Rising Dementia Cases and Campaigns
The findings come as dementia cases continue to rise in the UK, with nearly one million Britons currently affected—a figure projected to reach 1.4 million by 2040. The Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society have partnered in a drive to beat dementia, which claims 76,000 lives each year and is the UK's biggest killer. The Defeating Dementia campaign aims to raise awareness, increase early diagnosis, boost research, and improve care.
While the condition has no cure, early diagnosis can help slow progression and manage symptoms, including memory loss, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and problems following conversations. Growing evidence suggests changes in vision, hearing, taste, touch, and balance can appear years before classic symptoms. Experts have also warned that problems with spatial awareness, such as standing too close to others, may emerge up to 20 years earlier.
According to the Alzheimer's Society, dementia costs the UK £42 billion a year, with families shouldering much of the burden. That figure is expected to rise to £90 billion within 15 years.
