Cognitive reserve: the evolution of the conceptual framework

Abstract

Brain and Cognitive reserve concept is a theoretical general framework introduced to explain individual differences to withstand brain damages. Several behavioural and neuroimaging studies support the evidence that lifestyles act on brain plasticity modulating the impact of neurological insults. However, once that AD is clinically evident, the protective benefits of premorbid experience are assumed to be substantially decreased. This review presents an overview of the principal literature focused on reserve mechanisms. The evolution of the conceptual framework is considered, passing from brain and cognitive to neural reserve's hypothesis. Interactions between reserve mechanisms and AD-related biomarkers are reported. In particular this review is focussed on the neuroimaging (MRI) studies. MRI provides the opportunity to investigate in vivo structural and functional brain changes. Several studies reported here assessed the impact of reserves on brain resilience. Literature supports the hypothesis that reserves impact on neurodegenerative process in the early phase of AD. Moreover, studies fit with the existence of a "neural reserve", characterised by specific neural networks and their efficiency. It remains to be demonstrated whether interventions later in life can modulate this brain resilience.

Lifespan trajectory of affect in Cornelia de Lange syndrome: towards a neurobiological hypothesis

“…A further consideration is due to degree of intellectual disability varying so substantially in CdLS [15], it is important to consider that individuals with greater cognitive ability may present with differing trajectories to those with lower cognitive skills. The cognitive reserve hypothesis postulates that individual differences in cognitive processing may afford individuals with greater cognitive ability, an increased capacity to manage or compensate for the clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative disorders despite presenting with associated neuropathology [38, 39]. This is important to consider in CdLS and may in part explain the sudden onset of difficulties in certain individuals, and any individual variability of onset of difficulties.…”

Rethinking the Reserve with a Translational Approach: Novel Ideas on the Construct and the Interventions

“…Clinical research established that reserves can be built during life through enriching experiences [4,18]. Such enriching experiences regard all the aspects of the individual's life.…”

Medición de Reserva Cognitiva: estudio en una muestra de adultos chilenos

“…Stern (2002) propone que la RCb y la RC son dos componentes de la neuroplasticidad. Todo ello ha dado origen a un renovado y fructífero campo de estudios neurológicos y neuropsicológicos (Serra, Caltagirone, & Bozzali, 2017 (Bosch, 2010).…”

“…Las investigaciones en RC demuestran que existen ciertas actividades (estudio, laborales, y aquellas de tiempo libre cognitivamente desafiantes: sociales, física, intelectual, entre otras) que, ejecutadas frecuentemente a lo largo de la vida de las personas, actúan como factores que favorecen el incremento de reserva (Barnett & Sahakian, 2010;Bosch, 2010;Murray et al, 2011;Scarmeas, Levy, Tang, Manly, & Stern, 2001;Scheibel et al, 2009;Serra et al, 2017;Solé-Padullés et al, 2009;Stern, 2002;Vecilla, 2009;Whalley, Deary, Appleton, & Starr, 2004). Por ello, un grupo de investigadores, que se propone denominar operativistas, han creado instrumentos (escalas y cuestionarios) para medir los índices o niveles de reserva cognitiva (CRI) de una persona en un momento determinado de su vida (León-Estrada, García, & Roldán-Tapia, 2011;Nucci, Mapelli, & Mondini, 2011;Rami et al, 2011;Valenzuela & Sachdev, 2007).…”