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

PURPOSE: This study explored the relationships between autistic traits and cognitive functioning across the lifespan in the general population. METHODS: Young (19-39 years old, N = 38), middle-aged (40-57 years old, N = 40), and older adults (60-80 years old, N = 39) underwent performance-based assessments (e.g., verbal short-term and working memory, episodic memory, processing speed, executive functions) and completed self-reported measures (self-reported executive functioning), which are commonly studied in the context of autistic traits and aging. A self-reported questionnaire of anxiety and depression was also included to explore relationships among all self-reported measures. RESULTS: Findings showed that autistic traits, measured continuously using the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) were negatively associated with age. Higher levels of autistic traits were associated with lower performance specifically in verbal short-term and working memory, with no significant associations found in other cognitive functions. These effects were consistent across all age groups. Interestingly, while elevated autistic traits were linked to more self-reported executive difficulties in young and middle-aged adults, no such relationship was observed in older adults. These findings suggest that the association between autistic traits and perceived executive function is weaker at older age, possibly due to older adults' lower and less correlated self-reported scores, while younger groups may exhibit a stronger tendency toward negative self-assessment rather than a specific direct link between autistic traits and perceived executive function. CONCLUSION: Overall, the study highlights the complex relationships between autistic traits and cognition across the lifespan, suggesting the need for further research with larger, more diverse samples to clarify these associations.