Cornell research explained: Linguistic clues can help detect mild cognitive impairment

We're taking the latest research from Cornell and breaking it down, just for you!

Linguistic clues can help detect mild cognitive impairment

The main points: Older adults may show early signs of Alzheimer’s disease if they exhibit difficulty with ambiguous pronouns. People with amnestic type cognitive impairment—those with memory loss, like forgetting easily-recalled information—had trouble understanding the use of “his” in the sentence, “The electrician repaired his equipment,” for example. 

Why it’s important: These findings could help detect Alzheimer's disease earlier, and offer more effective treatment.

Read the full story by Emily Groff in the Cornell Chronicle.