Memory problems have nearly doubled in young adults, new study finds

A new study has revealed a troubling trend of self-reported memory, concentration, and decision-making problems rising among adults under the age of 40.

The study was conducted by researchers at the Yale School of Medicine and analyzed over 4.5 million survey responses collected between 2013 and 2023 to assess how cognitive difficulties have evolved over the past decade, reported on by the SciTechDaily publication.

“Challenges with memory and thinking have emerged as a leading health issue reported by U.S. adults,” said lead author Dr. Adam de Havenon, a neurologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. “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.”

Participants in the national surveys were asked whether they had “serious difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions” due to a physical, mental, or emotional condition. Respondents who answered “yes” were categorized as having a cognitive disability. The study excluded people who reported depression and omitted data from 2020, given the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The results show a clear upward trend in cognitive complaints. Overall, the prevalence of self-reported cognitive disability rose from 5.3% in 2013 to 7.4% in 2023, with the first major jump occurring in 2016. However, the increase was not uniform across age groups. Adults under 40 nearly doubled in rate, from 5.1% to 9.7%, while adults aged 70 and above actually saw a small decline—from 7.3% to 6.6%. This reversal of expectations challenges the conventional view that cognitive issues are primarily a concern for older adults.

Dr. de Havenon emphasized that while the survey does not measure clinical cognitive impairment, the growing number of Americans—particularly young ones—who perceive themselves as having memory and thinking problems should be taken seriously as a public health signal.

The data also revealed stark socioeconomic disparities. Adults in households earning less than $35,000 per year reported the highest rates of cognitive disability, climbing from 8.8% to 12.6% over the decade. In contrast, those earning over $75,000 experienced a smaller rise—from 1.8% to 3.9%. Educational differences followed a similar pattern: respondents without a high school diploma saw rates increase from 11.1% to 14.3%, compared with a smaller rise from 2.1% to 3.6% among college graduates.

While the majority of respondents were white, rates increased across nearly all racial and ethnic groups, indicating that the trend cuts across demographic lines. “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.”

The study concludes by calling for more research into why younger adults are experiencing such sharp increases. “More research is also needed to understand what’s driving the large increase in rates among younger adults, given the potential long-term implications for health, workforce productivity, and health care systems,” de Havenon added.

“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.”

By Nazrin Sadigova