ABSTRACT
The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) suggests that innate intelligence or aspects of life experience such as educational or occupational attainments may supply reserve, in the form of a set of skills or repertoires, that allows some people to cope with progressing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology better than others. There is epidemiological evidence that lifestyle characterized by engagement in leisure activities of an intellectual, social and physical nature is associated with slower cognitive decline in healthy elderly and may reduce the risk of incident dementia. The association between such activities and cognitive function is also supported by genetic, structural and functional imaging studies. It is possible that aspects of life experience such as engagement in leisure activities may result in functionally more efficient cognitive networks and therefore provide a CR that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of dementia.
