Word finding in narrative in normal ageing and in people living with acquired brain damage. Communication, cognition and quality of life
Description: There is currently a lack of knowledge about how the ability to find words in narrative can be affected by normal aging and brain injury. The aim of this project is to explore variations in narrative ability in speech and writing and the relationships between cognitive ability, communicative ability, social participation and quality of life. A sub-goal is to develop valid methods for assessing narrative ability for implementation in healthcare and research.The 4-year project includes 350 participants with or without brain injury. It is conducted by a multidisciplinary team of five researchers and one associate researcher, and includes linguistic, speech-language pathological and neuropsychological expertise. Group comparisons of quantitative data in the form of objective measures of oral and written narrative ability and cognitive ability will be performed and complemented by qualitative analyses. In addition, any correlation between objective measures and self-rated experience of participation, communicative and cognitive ability in everyday life and quality of life is examined.We have an aging population that is at risk of experiencing difficulties in finding words and interacting socially with others, which can have consequences for social participation and quality of life and thus for health. As treatment is available, it is important to have knowledge of variations in word-finding ability in normal aging and brain damage and valid instruments to identify problems early.
Funder: Vetenskapsrådet
Amount: SEK 6,560,000
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Project grant
Start date: 2026-01-01
End date: 2029-12-31
Investigator: Charlotta Saldert
Institution: University of Gothenburg
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 2025-01348
OpenAlex ID: G961890883