A neurocognitive speech taxonomy for voice biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease
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INTRODUCTION
Voice data combined with large language models may detect cognitive impairment, yet an interpretable framework has not been formally established. We developed and validated a scalable and interpretable framework, the Neurocognitive Speech Taxonomy (NST).
METHODS
NST maps 314 voice features to 7 neurocognitive domains derived from neuropsychology, speech pathology, neurology and related fields. The domains capture features including articulatory precision, cognitive-linguistic, executive fluency & planning, phonation & laryngeal control, prosodic modulation, lexical-semantic, and morphosyntactic complexity. We evaluated NST structural stability, clinical validity and racial-educational equity in three cohorts (total N = 1,479). Cohort data included demographic and neuropsychological evaluations and AD biomarker status. We tested whether NST scores distinguish cognitive status (unimpaired vs impaired) and AD-biomarker status, track cognitive change, and correlate with AD neuroimaging measures.
RESULTS
NST showed stable cross-cohort structure (Mantel r = 0.71-0.77) and differentiated MCI ( d = −0.39) and AD biomarker status ( d = −0.23). NST tracked longitudinal cognitive change, correlated with hippocampal volume (r up to 0.28, P < .001), and showed smaller racial and educational disparities relative to standard cognitive testing (NST d = 0.03-0.33, MoCA d = 0.37-0.72).
DISCUSSION
NST provides a validated neurocognitive construct that facilitates interpretation of AI-driven voice biomarkers of AD. This study was not registered in a public trials registry.
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A neurocognitive speech taxonomy for voice biomarkers of Alzheimers disease #NeuroDegeneration 🧪🧠 https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.23.26363671v1
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