ABSTRACT
The concept of cognitive reserve (CR) posits that individual differences in the way tasks are processed might provide differential reserve against brain pathology, or age-related changes. For example, brain networks that are more efficient or flexible may be less susceptible to disruption. Many of the chapters in this volume review the evidence for the existence of cognitive reserve. This chapter reviews research that is designed to ask a related question: What are the neural processes that underlie cognitive reserve? If the basis of cognitive reserve is a differential use of cognitive strategies and their underlying brain networks, then imaging should be able to provide some insight into the neural implementation of cognitive reserve.
