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American Cognitive Decline Doubled As Autism Hunting Millions of Families in the U.S.

Recent Research Reports That Cognitive Disability Has Doubled Among Americans

Child with autism plays with his toy car while his mother watches him. (Photo: © Bialasiewicz| Dreamstime.com)

By Akerele Christabel

September 29, 2025
5:11 pm
Los Angeles, CA

Recent research from the Journal Neurology shows that the United States has seen a spike in its rate of memory, concentration, and decision-making problems among adults in the country. The study, published on the 24th of September, shows rates nearly doubling among 18- to 39-year-olds. The researchers also found out that the biggest increases were found among people who had less education and earned lower wages. For their analysis, researchers employed survey data collected annually between 2013 and 2023 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Altogether, the research team reviewed more than 4.5 million survey responses. To reduce the margins for error and provide a more accurate estimate, researchers excluded responses from people who reported depression, and threw out data from 2020 due to the

For their analysis, researchers employed survey data collected annually between 2013 and 2023 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Altogether, the research team reviewed more than 4.5 million survey responses. To reduce the margins for error and provide a more accurate estimate, researchers excluded responses from people who reported depression, and threw out data from 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on America’s psyche.

Survey participants were asked, “Because of a physical, mental or emotional condition, do you have serious difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions?” Those who responded “yes” were classified as having a cognitive disability.

The study found that the rate of people reporting thinking problems increased from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023, the survey found. For adults under 40, the rate rose sharply from 5.1% to 9.7%, nearly doubling, researchers said.On the other hand, rates among seniors 70 and older declined slightly, from 7.3% to 6.6%.

There were also economic underpinnings to the loss of brain power. Americans with household incomes below $35,000 consistently reported the highest rates, rising from 8.8% to 12.6% during the study period. Those with incomes over $75,000 had substantially lower rates but they still more than doubled, rising from 1.8% to 3.9%, according to researchers.

Education, or the lack of it, was also seen as a factor in the rates of cognitive decline. Adults without a high school diploma experienced an increase from 11.1% to 14.3%, compared to an increase from 2.1% to 3.6% among college graduates.

“Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by U.S. adults,” said senior researcher Dr. Adam de Havenon, an associate professor of neurology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.

“Our study shows that these difficulties may be becoming more widespread, especially among younger adults, and that social and structural factors likely play a key role. These findings suggest we’re seeing the steepest increases in memory and thinking problems among people who already face structural disadvantages,” de Havenon said. “We need to better understand and address the underlying social and economic factors that may be driving this trend.” he added in a press release.

He is of the opinion that there is still need for additional research to understand what is driving the trend of cognitive decline among younger adults.

“It could reflect actual changes in brain health, better awareness and willingness to report problems, or other health and social factors. But regardless of possible causes, the rise is real — and it’s especially pronounced in people under 40.” he concluded.

Still on the issue of cognitive disability among Americans, President Trump and Secretary Robert Kennedy of Health and Human Services have flagged off bold policies to combat the country’s surge in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The ailment now affects 1 in 31 American children, marking a 400% increase since in the last 25 years.

The first step in President Trump’s master plan is to have the US Food and Drug Administration act on a potential treatment for speech-related deficits associated with the condition. Following this, state Medicaid programs will be able to cover leucovorin for the indication of ASD, in partnership with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  Third, NIH will announce the recipients of the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), funding 13 projects totaling more than $50 million to transform autism research. ADSI integrates large-scale biological, clinical, and behavioral data with an exposomics approach that examines environmental, nutritional, medical, and social factors alongside genetics.

“For too long, families have been left without answers or options as autism rates have soared. Today, we are taking bold action—opening the door to the first FDA-recognized treatment pathway, informing doctors and families about potential risks, and investing in groundbreaking research. We will follow the science, restore trust, and deliver hope to millions of American families.” Secretary Kennedy said.