Cognitive Reserve

Question 1

define cognitive reserve as a concept or abstract idea

Answer 1

individuals using alternative methods to maintain function

Question 2

Stern (2009) found what regarding brain damage and ‘cognitive reserve’?

Answer 2

people can sustain diff levels of damage before effects are seen - suggests a buffer against damage

Question 3

what is brain reserve?

Answer 3

when those with larger brains & more neurons can sustain more damage - greater potential to be resilient & function well for longer

Question 4

what does Satz’s (1993) threshold model mean?

Answer 4

• a disorder or injury has to exceed brain reserve threshold to have a visible effect
• only brain reserve can determine outcome

Question 5

what is an issue with Satz’s 1993 threshold model?

Answer 5

• similar types of damage do not always have the same impact - can’t account for individual differences & compensatory processing
• sees brain reserve as a narrow/rigid approach

Question 6

outline cognitive reserve

Answer 6

• lack of fixed thresholds
• defined in relation to processing efficiency
• individuals have flexibility in neural responses so can sustain cognition with the most efficient processing routes

Question 7

if two people have the same amount of brain reserve but one has more cognitive reserve, who is more likely to tolerate greater brain damage before the impairment becomes apparent?

Answer 7

the individual with more cognitive reserve

Question 8

is cognitive reserve passive or active?

Answer 8

active

Question 9

how is cognitive reserve active and not passive?

Answer 9

• dependent on choices made through development
• can be increased
• subject to individual differences in lifestyle choices

Question 10

is brain reserve passive or active?

Answer 10

passive

Question 11

how is brain reserve passive and not active?

Answer 11

• dependent on brain size and neuron count
• maximum limit imposed
• individual differences in brain structure

Question 12

Draganski et al. (2004) found juggling training for 3 months did what to the brain?

Answer 12

• structural change (increase in grey matter) between temporal/occipital lobe
• suggests cognitively stimulating activity can compensate for damage

Question 13

what is neural reserve?

Answer 13

the extent of the ability to allocate neural resources and form new processing strategies to keep functioning in the face of damage

Question 14

how can we see neural reserve?

Answer 14

shown in the variability of brain neurons in ageing

Question 15

give two studies that show higher education produces greater cognitive reserve in later life

Answer 15

• Jefferson et al. (2011) - education delays observable signs of pathology
• Liu et al. (2012) - larger brains, increased cortex thickness (brain reserves)

Question 16

is the quality or the quantity of education more important for cognitive reserve?

Answer 16

quality - focus on role of literacy and quality of schooling compared to number of years

Question 17

Guzman-Velez & Tranel (2015) found what results in bilinguals when studying cognitive reserve?

Answer 17

• life long bilinguals had more efficient use of neural resources, which reduces the cognitive decline in AD
• other factors - age of onset & language proficiency

Question 18

give two studies that show exercise helps cognitive reserve

Answer 18

• Barnes (2015) - good vascular physiology is a barrier to cognitive decline
• Davenport et al. (2012) - exercise increases resting cerebral blood flow, promotes greater neurogenesis

Question 19

what does a mismatch between pathology and test scores with cognitive reserve and AD mean?

Answer 19

individual may have high AD brain pathology but no deficits on test due to high cognitive reserve preventing symptoms from showing

Question 20

can cognitive reserve be seen as a hindrance to diagnosing AD?

Answer 20

yes, individuals would be unable to make use of early stage interventions

Question 21

what are the limitations of cognitive reserve?

Answer 21

• more details needed on the physiological processes that support cog reserve
• more longitudinal and prospective research needed

Question 22

what are the future directions for cognitive reserve?

Answer 22

• strategies for maximising cog reserve in the most vulnerable to age related decline
• increase education across the lifespan
• develop person centred training schemes