Cognitive Reserve and Its Importance to Brain HealthCognitive Reserve and Its Importance to Brain Health

While the concept of cognitive reserve was identified three decades ago, researchers were not sure how to quantify or separate it from the term brain reserve, which is defined as a structural quality measured by brain volume and its number of neurons and synapses. The NIH says to refer to it as actual differences in the brain itself that may increase tolerance of pathology, and cognitive reserve.

The term cognitive reserve was first used by a group of neuropsychologists at Columbia University lead by Yaakov Stern to explain why people of higher education or in more challenging occupations were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. After examining the brains post mortem of elderly residents from a care facility, they found some of those with a high degree of plaques associated with Alzheimer’s had “ranked in the 20 percent of residents as good or better than those without any signs of plaques.” They hypothesized the extra years of intellectual effort gave people a reserve to help delay the onset of clinical manifestations.

New evidence debunks the long-held view that brain reserve is a fixed capacity throughout one’s life and finds we may be able to make new neurons through adulthood. However scientists say this ability needs to be supported by cognitive resilience or “brain maintenance” consisting of lifestyle or environmental factors to ensure the brain’s well-maintained. Therefore optimal brain health is a combination of cognitive reserve, brain reserve and brain maintenance.

While cognitive reserve is associated with higher IQs, higher levels of social engagement in mid or later life is also an important component of cognitive performance. In fact studies show older adults with strong social ties have a 30 to 50 percent lower dementia risk. Exercise also elevates blood flow to the brain and maintains health. Risk factors impacting our reserve are obesity, lack of sleep and poor diet. Scientists explain building and protecting cognitive reserves is about exercising our brains throughout our lives with activities that include physical, mental and social stimulation.

Researchers explain the physical manifestation of Alzheimer’s in the brain is linked to loss of synapses; and a recent discovery of a neuritin (NRN1), may provide an answer to therapeutic intervention. Jeremy Herskowitz, a researcher from the University of Alabama, says one day NRN1 could be a supplement to support brain function and help forestall the pathological effects of Alzheimer’s disease. 

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