Dementia is a serious concern as we age, but assessing whether someone is at risk of developing this condition can be time-consuming and complicated. A simple one-minute test could be the first step for flagging people who need help.
Why it matters
Speed. This new test quickly identifies people at risk of dementia, helping clinicians save time and ensuring people get the care they need as early as possible.
How it works
- The Speech-Gap Test (S-GAP Test) analyzes your speech, including your pace, pauses, and hesitations.
- It's unique because it doesn't focus on what you say, but on how you say it.
By the numbers
The test only needs 60 seconds of speech to work. Other tools being developed require much longer samples.
Assumptions, assumptions
You might think a test like this would depend on culture, language, and education level. However, the S-GAP Test is different because it focuses on temporal speech parameters, which do not bias results.
The backstory
Developed by János Kálmán, MD, PhD, and his team at the University of Szeged in Hungary, the test was first created using audio samples from native Hungarian speakers.
- S-GAP has been validated with English and German speakers.
- Spanish is the next language to be validated.
The takeaway
This test isn't meant to diagnose dementia. Instead, it's a quick and easy screening tool that anyone could use.
The challenge
What happens if the test flags you as someone who needs further assessment?
- There are 12 modifiable risk factors for dementia that clinicians can discuss with their patients.
- For example, addressing behaviors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and hearing loss are key.
The bottom line
By focusing on how we speak rather than what we say, the S-GAP test offers a discreet and efficient way to identify those needing further support.
Healthy hearing reduces the risk of dementia
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