Brain Express Diagnostic Method Detected in 15 Seconds

First 15 seconds can reveal more about cognitive health than a one-minute test

As reported by TUT.AZ, an international group of psychologists has discovered a surprising pattern: the number of words a person manages to pronounce in the first 15 seconds of a verbal fluency test may be a more accurate indicator of cognitive health than the results of the entire one-minute task. The research findings are published in the authoritative journal Experimental Aging Research (EAR).

With the growing prevalence of dementia, scientists are actively seeking quick and effective methods for early diagnosis. Studying the cognitive state of middle-aged people is particularly valuable, as neurodegenerative processes often begin decades before obvious symptoms appear, forming subtle changes in the brain.

The study involved 74 Spanish-speaking volunteers over 40 years old who underwent online cognitive function testing and psychiatric screening.

The main assessment method was a semantic verbal fluency test, during which participants were asked to name as many words as possible in a specific category within one minute. The scientists divided the minute into four 15-second intervals and conducted a detailed analysis of the word naming rate.

The results were unexpected: the first 15-second segment showed the highest informativeness, explaining most of the differences in results and more accurately predicting the indicators of standard tests for cognitive decline—Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. According to researchers, the initial seconds of the test reflect the most effective phase of information search, when the brain quickly activates stored semantic connections.

The study also confirmed the relationship between mental state and cognitive indicators. People with symptoms of anxiety or depression demonstrated lower verbal productivity. Notably, depression more often affected the initial stage of the task, while anxiety reduced performance closer to the end of the minute. Despite this, age remained the main risk factor—with years, the likelihood of developing psychiatric symptoms increased regardless of cognitive abilities.