Building Cognitive Reserve for Mental Resilience
In the late 1980s, researchers made a puzzling discovery. They found that there were older adults who, despite having shown no symptoms in life, were found at autopsy to have advanced Alzheimer’s Disease (Harvard Health 2022). How could this be? How could a person whose brain appears to be ravaged by the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer’s still function at a normal level? What process could compensate for the damage present in the brain? This question led scientists to the idea of cognitive reserve (CR), which appears to have a significant, positive effect in maintaining brain health and function in older adults.
What is Cognitive Reserve?
Cognitive reserve (CR) is a neurological reservoir that develops with lifelong engagement in challenging intellectual activities and can compensate for and slow cognitive decline. Educated seniors who have had an intellectually challenging profession and stimulating hobbies are already ahead of the game, so to speak. But that is just the beginning for long-term brain health. Recent studies have proven that keeping intellectually, socially, and emotionally engaged in later life is essential for maintaining optimal brain function. One study states that “the link between cognitive activity and the age at which a person developed dementia is mainly driven by the activities you do in later life” (Wilson et al 2021).
It is important to note that not all activities contribute to CR. Novelty, challenge, and analytical thought are needed to build the reserve. A recent study emphasized that activities “related to learning new skills, that cause strong intellectual stimulation, and that include communication elements were considered particularly effective tools” (Iizuka et. al 2019). Additionally, these activities should involve greater intellectual stimulation than the usual activities and routines of daily living. It takes very little mental effort to brush your teeth or turn on the TV. CR is created when we think in new ways, encounter and formulate new ideas, and engage with other people.
Scientists are not sure why CR slows down functional decline, but many believe that engaging in intellectually challenging activities with a social component actually creates more neural connections within the brain, which compensate for areas with neural damage. Significantly, one large-cohort study found that “the association of high CR with a slower cognitive decline remained significant in the presence of high AD (Alzheimer’s Disease) pathology or gross infarcts (death of brain tissue)” (Li et al 2021). In other words, CR boosted the brain’s ability to compensate regardless of the type of pathology.
There are additional benefits to participating in CR-building activities. At A Gathering of Minds, for example, the programs are specifically designed to increase CR. The topics, which change daily, are thought-provoking and the small group size allows for meaningful conversations among members. In this environment, people who have lived interesting lives continue to experience themselves as the curious, intellectually engaged people they have always been.
Scientists are working hard to deepen their understanding of how and why CR works. In the meantime, all indications point to multiple benefits and no downsides to improving your CR. So, roll up your sleeves and get busy exercising your brain.
Sources:
What is Cognitive Reserve? Harvard Health. (2020, September 21). Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-is-cognitive-reserve
Iizuka A;Suzuki H;Ogawa S;Kobayashi-Cuya KE;Kobayashi M;Takebayashi T;Fujiwara Y; (2019). Can cognitive leisure activity prevent cognitive decline in older adults? A systematic review of Intervention Studies. Geriatrics & gerontology international. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31020777/
Li, X., Song, R., Qi, X., Xu, H., Yang, W., Kivipelto, M., Bennett, D. A., & Xu, W. (2021, October 26). Influence of cognitive reserve on cognitive trajectories: Role of Brain Pathologies. Neurology. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8605617/
Wilson RS;Wang T;Yu L;Grodstein F;Bennett DA;Boyle PA; (n.d.). Cognitive activity and onset age of incident alzheimer disease dementia. Neurology. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34261788/
