Autistic traits and cognitive functions: A cross-sectional study from younger to older adulthood

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Autistic traits are increasingly recognized in the general population.
• Cognitive functioning changes across the lifespan.
• Understanding the interplay between autistic traits and cognition in aging is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between autistic traits and cognitive functioning across different age groups.
• To investigate how autistic traits impact specific cognitive domains throughout adulthood.
• To examine age-related differences in the association between autistic traits and self-reported executive functioning.

Main Methods:

• Recruited young (19-39), middle-aged (40-57), and older adults (60-80).
• Administered performance-based cognitive assessments (memory, processing speed, executive functions).
• Utilized self-report measures for autistic traits (Autism Spectrum Quotient - AQ) and executive functioning, including anxiety and depression scales.

Main Results:

• Autistic traits (AQ scores) were negatively associated with age.
• Higher autistic traits correlated with lower verbal short-term and working memory performance across all age groups.
• The link between autistic traits and self-reported executive difficulties was present in younger and middle-aged adults but diminished in older adults.

Conclusions:

• Autistic traits and cognitive function exhibit complex, age-dependent relationships.
• The perceived executive function difficulties associated with autistic traits may decrease in older age.
• Further research with larger, diverse samples is needed to fully elucidate these lifespan associations.