Activation of the Brain to Postpone Dementia: A Concept Originating from Postmortem Human Brain Studies

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by decreased neuronal activity and atrophy, while hyperactivity of neurons seems to make them resistant to aging and neurodegeneration, a phenomenon which we have paraphrased as 'use it or lose it'. Our hypothesis proposes that (1) during their functioning, neurons are damaged; (2) accumulation of damage that is not repaired is the basis of aging; (3) the vulnerability to AD is determined by the genetic background and the balance between the amount of damage and the efficiency of repair, and (4) by stimulating the brain, repair mechanisms are stimulated and cognitive reserve is increased, resulting in a decreased rate of aging and risk for AD. Environmental stimulating factors such as bilingualism/multilingualism, education, occupation, musical experience, physical exercise, and leisure activities have been reported to reduce the risk of dementia and decrease the rate of cognitive decline, although methodological problems are present.

Sensogenomics of music and Alzheimer’s disease: An interdisciplinary view from neuroscience, transcriptomics, and epigenomics

“…A recent review by Zhu et al (2019) emphasizes the power of musical experience to activate the brain and postpone dementia, specially in AD. However, while the mechanism underlying the…”

Music Engagement as a Source of Cognitive Reserve

“…10,11 CR is assumed to be a byproduct of a complex geneenvironment interaction wherein modifiable socio-behavioral factors such as level of education, occupational complexity, physical activity, socioeconomic status, and leisure activities contribute to individual differences in CR capacity. 13 In estimations of CR, these factors, known as CR proxies, must be considered as covariates and incorporated into the clinical understanding of measurable neurocognitive differences. The extent of engagement, level of effort required, and time of uptake for these socio-behavioral proxies are thought to influence their unique contribution to CR capacity.…”

“…Brain maintenance, on the other hand, reflects a more active neural capacity to mitigate the development of age-related or neuropathologic changes. 12 , 13 While the precise underlying mechanisms remain under investigation, brain maintenance is thought to involve the repair and preservation of neural resources on a genetic, molecular, cellular and cortical level. 13 Cognitive reserve (CR) is also considered an active neural mechanism and is theorized to optimize neural processes through compensatory cognitive strategies.…”

Intelligence trajectories in adolescents and adults with down syndrome: Cognitively stimulating leisure activities mitigate health and ADL problems

“…The viewpoint is on the rise that “the adult brain is adaptive at any age and has lifelong capacity for change” (Mahncke et al., 2006, p. 12,524). Citing the “use it or lose it” phrase, Zhu, Bao, Swaab, and Neurosci (2019) proposed that by stimulating the brain, repair mechanisms are stimulated and “cognitive reserve” is increased, thereby reducing the risk of dementia and decreasing rates of cognitive decline. Zhu et al pinpointed stimulating experiences such as bilingualism/multilingualism, education, occupation, musical experience, physical exercise and leisure activities.…”