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Geneva, Switzerland – Could a rich vocabulary and the ability to wield it with ease be a key to a longer life? A recent study published in Clinical Psychological Science suggests a surprising link between verbal fluency and longevity.
Researchers, led by Paolo Ghisletta of the University of Geneva, analyzed data from the Berlin Aging Study, a long-term project that tracked 516 individuals aged 70 to 105 over a period of up to 18 years. The study, which began shortly before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, collected extensive data on participants’ physical health, psychological well-being, and cognitive abilities.
The researchers focused on four key cognitive areas: verbal fluency (vocabulary and its usage), perceptual speed (visual processing), verbal knowledge (vocabulary breadth), and episodic memory (personal experience recall). Notably, verbal fluency, measured by tasks such as naming as many animals as possible within 90 seconds, emerged as a significant predictor of survival.
“We found that verbal fluency alone seemed to be significantly linked to longevity,” Ghisletta explained.
The study employed advanced statistical modeling, a “joint multivariate longitudinal survival model,” to analyze how changes in cognitive performance over time related to mortality risk. This sophisticated approach, made possible by advancements in data analysis and increased collaboration among researchers, revealed the unique association between verbal fluency and lifespan.
While the exact mechanisms behind this connection remain unclear, Ghisletta suggests a holistic view of aging. “All of these domains are just declining together, whether it’s cognition, personality, emotions, or biological, medical decline in general,” he said.
He proposes that verbal fluency, as a complex cognitive process involving memory, vocabulary, and processing speed, may serve as a comprehensive indicator of overall well-being.
“When you’re testing your verbal fluency, you are doing something very interesting,” Ghisletta stated, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the skill.
This research marks a significant step in understanding the cognitive factors associated with longevity, building on previous findings that linked general intelligence to lifespan. Ghisletta emphasized the importance of collaboration and the exciting possibilities for future research.
“It’s a good time to be doing research. I’m really happy to work with young Ph.D. students and have them play around with these different data sets and variables and the theoretical questions that we want to answer,” Ghisletta said. “Although we are building up knowledge every day, there’s still so much here to discover.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on a single study, and further research is needed to confirm and fully understand the link between verbal fluency and longevity. The information provided should not be interpreted as medical advice. Individual results may vary, and readers should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance.
