As we already know, An optimal state of physical and mental health acts as a preventive factor against cognitive deterioration experienced with age. When we refer to the type of factors that prevent deterioration, we often refer to a concept called “reserves.” But… what do we know about the cognitive reserve and the brain reserve? What is its influence in the face of deterioration?
In the next article We will talk about the types of reserves that our brain has and we will explain its contribution as a preventive factor against deterioration.
The reserve capacity It is one that allows the brain to cope with changes due to normal aging or neuropathological processes, delaying the appearance of clinical symptoms.
According to Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz (2013) There are two interrelated theoretical models for the study of the reserve:
1. Brain reserve model
This type of reservation corresponds to passive modelwhich refers to the anatomical potential of the brain: brain size, number of neurons, synaptic density, etc. This type of reserve proposes a static and invariable model, since it emphasizes genetic and anatomical factors.
2. Cognitive reserve model
It corresponds to active model either functionalreferred to the individual ability to use pre-existing or alternative cognitive processes or neural networks (compensatory) to optimally perform a task. Because this reserve can be increased due to the influence of various environmental factors to which we are exposed throughout life (they will be explained later), it could be said that this model, unlike the previous one, responds to a dynamic character.
What is the influence of the reserve against aging?
Now that we know both types of reservation, We are going to explain its contribution to the aging process whether normal or pathological.
Brain reserve
Brains that have a high degree of this reserve They have a greater base substrate which will allow them greater resistance to brain damage in the face of pathological phenomena or during aging, therefore favoring a prolongation of the preclinical state in the processes of pre-dementia and dementia (Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz, 2013).
Regarding normative aging, higher reserve estimates will correspond to more structurally preserved brains.
Through neuroimaging techniques such as anatomical magnetic resonance imaging, we can detect brain changes in people with high cognitive reserve who They can serve as indicators of a pathological disorder in old age before it has manifested itself clinically, such as in Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitive reserve
The cognitive reserve make reference to cognitive processing capacity Such reserve allows the use of neural networks in an effective way, trying to reduce the impact of changes associated with aging and neuropathological processes (Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz, 2013). It could be said that cognitive reserve enhances plasticity and interneuronal connectivity.
Through various investigations it has been shown that a high cognitive reserve acts as a preventive factor against deterioration and, in the case of dementia, it will generally delay the appearance of symptoms, and consequently, the diagnosis. However, the underlying pathological progress will be the same regardless of your cognitive reserve, therefore, symptoms will occur when the pathological process is more advanced and, consequently, The progression of the disease will be faster once the threshold of clinical and cerebral involvement has been exceeded
This is because a brain with high cognitive reserve will be easier to use alternative neural networks when the normally used networks are damaged, however, this compensation will end when the neurodegenerative disease becomes more severe (Pousada and De la Fuente, 2006).
Regarding normative aging, cognitive reserve means better performance, a more functionally efficient brain, for this reason it is important to maintain activities that stimulate our cognitive functions throughout life. In various studies (Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz, 2013), High levels of mental activity have been linked to up to a 50% lower risk of developing dementia
Therefore It is essential to take into account cognitive training as an intervention to minimize the risk of suffering from age-related cognitive decline and/or dementia. Likewise, it has been shown that there are also other types of environmental factors that contribute as a protective factor against cognitive decline, such factors are: the state of physical and mental health, occupation, hours of sleep, diet, activities leisure and the maintenance of social relationships.
We can analyze this type of reservation through a fMRI (fMRI) or by Positron emission tomography (TEP).
Some conclusions
In conclusion, It has been shown that reserve capacity acts as a protective factor against the manifestation of brain changes underlying the aging process or the disease, tolerating greater damage to their brains and minimizing, in turn, the impact of the disease on its clinical manifestations.
This fact is of great importance since, although the underlying process is the same, the patient will maintain a quality of life for longer. The reservation, therefore, turns out to be one of the numerous factors that demonstrate the reason for interindividual variability regarding the symptomatic manifestation of the same cerebral involvement.
Therefore, it is interesting to highlight the need to carry out future research focused on the exhaustive study of specific activities that contribute to increasing cognitive reserve and analyzing their consequent interaction with biological factors.
