How to prevent cognitive decline?

Several neuroscientific keys to take care of our cognitive abilities.

As we already know, an optimal state of physical and mental health acts as a preventive factor against the cognitive deterioration experienced with age. 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 cognitive reserve and the brain reserveWhat is their influence in the face of deterioration?

In the following article we will talk about the types of reserve available to our brain and explain their contribution and we will explain their contribution as a preventive factor against deterioration.

Brain reserve and cognitive reserve

The reserve capacity is that which allows the brain to cope with changes due to normal aging or neuropathological processes, delaying the onset 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 reserve corresponds to the passive modelwhich refers to the anatomical potential of the brain: brain size, number of neurons, synaptic density, etc.brain size, number of neurons, synaptic density, etc. This type of reserve is a static and invariable model, since it emphasizes genetic and anatomical factors.

2. Cognitive reserve model

Corresponds to the active model o functional modelmodel, referring to the individual's ability to use pre-existing or alternative (compensatory) cognitive processes or neural networks to optimally perform a task. (compensatory) cognitive processes or neural networks to optimally perform a task. Since this reserve can be increased due to the influence of various environmental factors to which we are exposed throughout life (to be explained later), it could be said that this model, unlike the previous one, responds to a dynamic character.

What is the influence of reserve on aging?

Now that we are familiar with both types of reserve, let's explain their contribution to the aging processwhether normal or pathological.

Brain reserve

Brains that possess a high degree of this reserve have a higher baseline substrate have a greater base substratewhich will allow them greater resistance to brain damage in the face of pathological phenomena or during aging, thus favoring a prolongation of the preclinical state in the processes of pre-dementia and dementia (Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz, 2013).

In terms of normative aging, higher estimates of reserve will correspond to more structurally preserved brains.

Through neuroimaging techniques such as anatomical MRI, we can detect brain changes in people with high cognitive reserve that can serve as indicators of a pathological disorder in old age. can serve as indicators of a pathological disorder in old age before it has manifested itself. before it has manifested itself clinically, as for example in Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive reserve

The cognitive reserve refers to cognitive processing capacity. Such reserve allows the utilization of neural networks in an effective way trying to diminish 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.

Research has shown that a high cognitive reserve acts as a preventive factor against deterioration and, in the case of dementias, will generally delay the onset of symptoms and, consequently, the diagnosis. However, the underlying pathological progression will be the same regardless of cognitive reserve, therefore, symptoms will occur when the pathological process is more advanced and, consequently, the disease progression will be more advanced, the progression of the disease will be more rapid once the threshold of clinical and cerebral involvement has been exceeded..

This is because a brain with high cognitive reserve will present more facility for the use of alternative neuronal networks However, this compensation will end when the neurodegenerative disease becomes more severe (Pousada and De la Fuente, 2006).

In terms of normative aging, cognitive reserve means better performance, a more functionally efficient brain, which is why it is important to maintain activities that stimulate our cognitive functions throughout life. In several studies (Arenaza-Urquijo and Bartrés-Faz, 2013), high levels of mental activity have been associated with up to 50% lower risk of developing dementia..

Therefore, it is it is essential to consider cognitive training as an intervention to minimize the risk of dementia. as an intervention to minimize the risk of age-related cognitive impairment and/or dementia. It has also been shown that there are also other environmental factors that contribute as a protective factor against cognitive decline, such factors are: the state of physical and mental health, occupation, sleep, food, leisure activities and maintenance of social relationships.

This type of reserve can be analyzed by means of a functional magnetic resonance functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) or by positron emission tomography (PET) (PET).

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 disease, tolerating greater damage to their brains and minimizing, in turn underlying the aging process or the disease by tolerating greater damage to their brains and minimizing, in turn, the impact of the disease in its clinical manifestations.

This fact is of great importance since, even if the underlying process is the same, the patient will maintain a quality of life for a longer time. Reserve, therefore, is one of the many factors that demonstrate why there is inter-individual variability in symptom manifestation. in terms of symptomatic manifestation of the same brain involvement.

Thus, it is interesting to point out the need to carry out future research focused on the exhaustive study of specific activities that contribute to increase cognitive reserve and to analyze its consequent interaction with Biological factors.

Bibliographical references:

• Arenaza-Urquijo, E.M., and Bartrés-Faz, D. (2013). Cognitive reserve. In Redolar-Ripoll, D. (Ed.), Neurociencia cognitiva (1st ed., pp. 185-200). Madrid: Editorial Médica Panamericana.

• Pousada, M., and De la Fuente, J. (2006). Memory and attention. In Villar, F., and Triadó, C., Psicologia de la vejez (1st ed., pp. 114-140). Madrid: Alianza Editorial, S.A.