Cognitive disorders have become more common among people under 40.

A team of researchers from the United States, led by neurologist Ka-Ho Wong from the University of Utah, analyzed survey data from over 4.5 million people. They found that over the past decade, the most significant increase in cognitive disorders has been observed among individuals aged 18 to 39.
Overall, the researchers reported a noticeable and concerning rise in the number of adults experiencing issues with , decision-making, or concentration. These conditions are collectively referred to as “cognitive disability,” according to the publication Science Alert.
The percentage of American adults with cognitive disabilities increased from 5.3% to 7.4% between 2013 and 2023. Among those under 40, this figure nearly doubled, soaring from 5.1% to 9.7% during the same period.
“Deteriorating memory and thinking have become a major health concern reported by adults in the U.S.,” noted vascular neurologist Adam de Havenon from Yale University.
The level of cognitive disorders, as reported by study participants, has risen across most age groups. However, this trend was not observed among older adults. Researchers found that the percentage of cognitive issues among individuals aged 70 and older actually decreased slightly, from 7.3% in 2013 to 6.6% in 2023.
The team believes that the reasons for the decline in function should primarily be sought in social factors, particularly socioeconomic status. Among individuals with an annual income of less than $35,000 or a low level of education, there was a more significant increase in cognitive disorders compared to other groups.

The team believes this troubling trend may be partially explained by the willingness of modern individuals to report mental health issues and the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Nowadays, people, especially the younger generation, are more open to discussing their .
Notably, researchers identify key factors linked to the decline in cognitive abilities among the youth, including job uncertainty and a growing dependence on digital technology.
“We need to better understand and consider the underlying social and economic factors that may be driving this trend,” de Havenon emphasized.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Neurology.
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