Can Verbal Fluency Predict Human Longevity?
Summary: A recent study reveals a surprising link between longevity and verbal fluency—the ability to effectively recall and utilize vocabulary. Researchers analyzed cognitive data from the Berlin Aging Study, involving over 500 elderly participants tracked for nearly two decades, assessing verbal fluency alongside memory, perceptual speed, and verbal knowledge.
Of these cognitive traits, verbal fluency emerged as the strongest predictor of longevity, indicating that individuals with sharper linguistic abilities tend to live longer. This finding suggests verbal fluency might serve as a marker of broader cognitive and physical well-being, highlighting the intricate connection between mental acuity and overall health.
Excerpted from Neuroscience News
