2022 Alzheimer's Association Research Fellowship (AARF)

Mapping Trajectories of Speech Metrics in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease

How does speech behavior change over time in older individuals with and without cognitive impairment?

Michael Kleiman, Ph.D.
Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami
Coral Gables, FL - United States

Background

Recent studies suggest brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s occur decades before clinical symptoms, such as changes in memory, thinking and reasoning, appear. Dementia researchers are working to find improved approaches of early detection of Alzheimer’s, long before onset of symptoms. 

Subtle changes in speech patterns may be indicative of early brain changes not detectable in a typical clinical setting. This may be especially true for tasks that use natural ways of speaking, called “connected” speech tasks, such as picture description, reading aloud, and spontaneous speech. More research is needed to understand how aspects of connected speech may be associated with either early signs of cognitive impairment or normal aging.

Research Plan

Using a biological marker observed in Alzheimer’s (levels of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, a hallmark brain change in Alzheimer’s), Dr. Michael Kleiman and colleagues will study differences between age-related decline in measures of speech patterns and overall cognitive decline. They will recruit 120 older adults that are either (1) cognitively unimpaired with low levels of beta-amyloid; (2) cognitively unimpaired with high levels of beta-amyloid; and (3) those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a subtle cognitive impairment often seen before Alzheimer’s) and  high levels of beta-amyloid.

The researchers will administer tests of connected speech to participants over 18 months to track the pattern and trajectory of changes in speech behavior. Additionally, they will identify social and medical factors related to speech decline. Finally, Dr. Kleiman and colleagues will study brain scans from the participants to identify biological brain changes associated with declines in different measures of speech behavior.

Impact

If successful, the results of this project may identify specific measures of speech decline associated with early changes in Alzheimer’s. There is a significant need for non-invasive, low cost measures to accurately identify individuals with the early stages of Alzheimer’s or other brain diseases.