{"id":11772,"date":"2017-04-28T07:00:56","date_gmt":"2017-04-28T12:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=11772"},"modified":"2020-10-13T18:30:16","modified_gmt":"2020-10-13T23:30:16","slug":"is-rambling-speech-a-sign-of-early-stage-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2017\/04\/is-rambling-speech-a-sign-of-early-stage-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Rambling Speech a Sign of Early-Stage Dementia?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is Rambling Speech a Sign of Early-Stage \"Is<\/a>Dementia?<\/h1>\n

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston recently said they’ve found subtle changes in speech and writing patterns that may identify Alzheimer’s disease <\/b><\/a>in its earliest stages\u2014as early as ten years before a formal diagnosis. These clues include rambling speech or writing combined with a reduction in the variety of words used. By finding these early clues to Alzheimer’s, the researchers hope they can eventually give doctors a way to screen patients and start treatment earlier, when it’s most effective.<\/p>\n

How researchers found the language-dementia connection<\/h2>\n

The scientists identified the language changes by studying works by authors who were later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, to compare their earlier style to their later writing. They also compared late President Ronald Reagan’s press conference transcripts from early and late in his presidency. Based on their analysis, the researchers found that \u201crepetitive and vague phrasing\u201d is a possible sign of dementia, and so is \u201cusing more fillers and empty phrases.\u201d<\/p>\n

It’s important to note that if you or your parents have a habit of telling long, rambling stories, that doesn’t mean you’re definitely going to develop dementia. The clue is in the change over time from stories with a point to those that ramble without end or real meaning\u2014especially if the variety of words used is also declining.<\/p>\n

What are some other early signs of dementia<\/h2>\n

There are other early signs of dementia you can be alert for, too. The Alzheimer’s Association lists ten dementia signs to watch for<\/b><\/a> \u2013 with the understanding that everyone has occasional moments of forgetfulness. Dementia may be a possibility, though, if your loved ones often:<\/p>\n