Exploring the neural basis of cognitive reserve in aging

The concept of reserve arose from the mismatch between the extent of brain changes or pathology and the clinical manifestations of these brain changes. The cognitive reserve hypothesis posits that individual differences in the flexibility and adaptability of brain networks underlying cognitive function may allow some people to cope better with brain changes than others. Although there is ample epidemiologic evidence for cognitive reserve, the neural substrate of reserve is still a topic of ongoing research. Here we review some representative studies from our group that exemplify possibilities for the neural substrate of reserve including neural reserve, neural compensation, and generalized cognitive reserve networks. We also present a schematic overview of our ongoing research in this area. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Imaging Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative disease.

► Reserve addresses discontinuities between brain change and its clinical consequences.
► Cognitive reserve refers to the flexibility or efficiency of cognitive networks.
► The neural implementation of cognitive reserve is a topic of research.
► Our current research strategy for investigating cognitive reserve is presented.