The Assessment of Cognitive Reserve: A Systematic Review of the Most Used Quantitative Measurement Methods of Cognitive Reserve for Aging

Abstract

The cognitive reserve (CR) is widely accepted as the active ability to cope with brain damage, using preexisting cognitive and compensatory processes. The common CR proxies used are the number of formal years of education, intelligence quotient (IQ) or premorbid functioning, occupation attainment, and participation in leisure activities. More recently, it has employed the level of literacy and engagement in high-level cognitive demand of professional activities. This study aims to identify and summarize published methodologies to assess the CR quantitatively. We searched for published studies on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science between September 2018 and September 2021. We only included those studies that characterized the CR assessment methodology. The search strategy identified 1,285 publications, of which 25 were included. Most of the instruments targeted proxies individually. The lack of a gold standard tool that incorporates all proxies and cognitive tests highlights the need to develop a more holistic battery for the quantitative assessment of CR. Further studies should focus on a quantitative methodology that includes all these proxies supported by normative data to improve the use of CR as a valid measure in clinical contexts.

Functional Neural Networks of Physical Reserve Moderate the Association between White Matter Hyperintensity and Postural Balance in Older Adults with Subcortical Ischemic Vascular Cognitive Impairment

“…12 It has been extensively examined using self-report proxy measures (e.g., years of education, occupational complexity, etc.). 13 For example, the Rush Memory and Aging Project reported that greater CR preserved cognitive function regardless of signi cant brain pathologies. 11,14 .…”

Interaction between catechol-O-methyltransferase Val/Met polymorphism and cognitive reserve for negative symptoms in schizophrenia

“…Cognitive reserve (CR) is frequently reported as a predictor of negative symptoms in cross-sectional and longitudinal studies[ 8 - 11 ]. CR refers to the ability to buffer the effects of illness through pre-existing and compensatory cognitive processes[ 12 ]. It is typically assessed using socio-behavioral measures, including intelligence quotient (IQ), educational level, occupational attainment, and leisure activity participation[ 13 , 14 ].…”

Barriers and facilitators to cognitive impairment screening among older adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension by primary healthcare providers in rural Uganda

“…Early screening and detection of mild cognitive impairment facilitates early involvement of the family and community in care along with promoting awareness on dementia as a pathological cognitive impairment rather than being considered as a normal aging process ( 6 ). In addition, early detection is important in developing relevant cognitive function rehabilitation plan and formation of a more patient-specific and caregiver support and follow-up plans ( 7 ). Post-diagnostic rehabilitation is a human right to all older people diagnosed with dementia, and has been shown to improve their quality of life and possibly slowing down dementia progression ( 8 ).…”