We examined longitudinal associations between young adult heavy substance use and late midlife poor self-rated memory and whether problematic substance use in early midlife mediated the associations.
Methods
Data were from the Monitoring the Future Longitudinal Panel Study. Analyses included individuals ages 50–65 in 2018–2023 who provided longitudinal data starting at age 18 in 1976–1991.
Results
Young adult heavy use of all substances was directly associated with higher odds of late midlife poor self-rated memory. These associations were fully mediated by early midlife substance-use disorder symptoms for binge drinking and cannabis use, but not mediated for pack+/day cigarette smoking.
Discussion
Sustained heavy substance use in young adulthood appears to represent a cumulative risk factor for cognitive decline in late midlife. Examining risk factors, including substance use, across the life course may be crucial for earlier identification of risk for cognitive decline.
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