Introduction
CognoSpeak could become another tool for dementia detection. In the Health magazine published on June 30, 2023. AI may be able to detect symptoms of dementia by analyzing speech patterns. Researchers in the UK at the University of Sheffield developed it. The article states that “in early trials which included both Alzheimer patients and cognitively healthy people, this tool showed 90% accuracy in identifying those with dementia.” The patient communicates with a “virtual agent” on a computer, laptop, or tablet. The person responds to certain questions, and describes pictures, and is assessed on verbal fluency. Then, the built-in technology analyzes the patient’s language and speech patterns.
Dr. Dan Blackburn
The goal for CognoSpeak is to get a faster diagnosis, a physician refers a patient to CognoSpeak, gets the results, and then determines whether further care is needed. Dr. Dan Blackburn, University of Sheffield, says “This tool when starting treatment sooner, reduces waiting times and gives people certainly earlier.” Dr. James Gabbin, University of Miami, said “One of the first symptoms of dementia is struggling to find words and passing in speech.”
As is true in all diseases, early detection is the key, Interventions are needed early on to slow down cognitive decline. This technology is extremely exciting, but more representative study populations will be needed. Studying speech is extremely useful, but memory and a complete neurological exam need to be done. Blood tests, digital tests and other tools are necessary.
Dementia causes
Dementia can cause speech problems. Speech therapy can be an immense help to people affected by dementia. When dementia continues, brain cells are destroyed, and a person could have aphasia. This means they have trouble speaking or understanding speech. If speaking is interrupted, they might have trouble remembering the conversation. In dementia, these language problems become more evident. Cliches, slang and expressions become extremely hard. They might have trouble thinking about many ideas and are unable to complete a thought. Frontotemporal dementia affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain which control speech and behavior.
According to an article about Dementia by Great Speech on 8/2/22, speech therapy can help dementia patients to maintain cognitive skills and to work on lost functions. It says that “speech therapy can stimulate the brain, so language skills and memory are improved.” Many studies are showing the direct benefits that dementia people can receive from speech services. Speech therapy gives people the tools to maintain their dignity and to be less anxious.
You must be very patient as you listen to someone with dementia. Do not interrupt them as they think and speak. If they do not answer your question, wait a minute and ask again. If you do not understand what they are saying, try to guess or look for clues in their body language. Of course, you can also use hand gestures, eye contact or touch along with a warm smile. When you talk to someone with dementia, slow down your speech and focus on one thing at a time. Stay simple when explaining things and use basic reasoning.