Dementia is becoming increasingly prevalent, affecting 42% of people who make it past age 55. While much attention focuses on supplements and diet, there’s an often-overlooked tool that can help mitigate risk: cognitive reserve. This concept explains how brain changes begin decades before symptoms appear, but not everyone with dementia-related brain changes experiences clinical dementia.
A 1994 study found that people with higher education or complex occupations had a significantly lower chance of developing dementia. Since then, research has expanded to understand the role of multiple methods in expanding brain connectivity and growth. Here are five practical strategies to boost cognitive reserve:
1. Lifelong Learning: Higher educational attainment is linked to a significantly lower dementia risk. Continue learning later in life to promote CR.
2. Cognitive Training: Research shows that cognitive training can improve cognition and brain function, observable 10 years later.
3. Physical Activity: Regular exercise, especially aerobic and resistance exercises, may be beneficial for growing brain cells and protecting against dementia.
4. Social Engagement: Strong social interactions are linked with better brain health, including slowing of atrophy in parts of the brain linked to social processing.
5. Novelty: Challenging yourself with new experiences can benefitfully augment your brain’s response to environmental inputs, boosting CR.
By incorporating these simple strategies into daily life, individuals can help delay or potentially offset the risk of developing dementia.
Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/202511/this-tool-could-help-prevent-dementia