About this Research Topic
Aging is a natural process that involves psychological, biological, and social changes. This collection of articles is focused on the cognitive changes associated with old age. There is an inevitable decline in cognitive functioning that is considered physiological; however, sometimes this cognitive decline is exacerbated due to pathological processes and leads to the development of diseases related to aging, such as neurocognitive disorders where deficits in cognition stand out. Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the capabilities that individuals develop during their lives, which may allow some people to be more resilient than others to the decline associated with aging. The most studied proxies related to the concept of CR include years of schooling, lifetime cognitive activity, premorbid intelligence quotient, occupational complexity, leisure activities, and physical activity. The concept of cognitive reserve suggests forms of intervention that could slow cognitive aging or even reduce the risk of dementia. Despite significant progress, there remain gaps in understanding the mechanisms underlying CR and how various factors contribute to cognitive resilience in old age.
This Research Topic aims to explore the effects of static and dynamic proxy variables of cognitive reserve (CR) on the cognitive performance of older adults. It also aims to incorporate longitudinal research evaluating changes in cognition over time in relation to these CR variables, to better understand the evolution of underlying brain mechanisms and cognitive trajectories associated with cognitive reserve. Our goal is to provide a platform for research that addresses these crucial aspects, highlighting recent advances through the use of electroencephalographic and neuroimaging techniques to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive reserve, as well as research on non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise and cognitive stimulation.
To gather further insights into the cognitive reserve in old age, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Physiological and pathological changes produced by aging, highlighting the effect that cognitive reserve has on them.
- Other protective factors or predictors of cognitive decline not commonly included among CR proxies (e.g., environment, nutrition, emotions), and how they affect brain functioning.
- Interventions that improve cognitive functions in the elderly population, emphasizing the brain functional correlates associated with these interventions.
- Animal models elucidating the brain mechanisms involved in aging, as well as the development of treatments to enhance cognition.
This Research Topic aims to explore the effects of static and dynamic proxy variables of cognitive reserve (CR) on the cognitive performance of older adults. It also aims to incorporate longitudinal research evaluating changes in cognition over time in relation to these CR variables, to better understand the evolution of underlying brain mechanisms and cognitive trajectories associated with cognitive reserve. Our goal is to provide a platform for research that addresses these crucial aspects, highlighting recent advances through the use of electroencephalographic and neuroimaging techniques to understand the mechanisms underlying cognitive reserve, as well as research on non-pharmacological interventions such as physical exercise and cognitive stimulation.
To gather further insights into the cognitive reserve in old age, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Physiological and pathological changes produced by aging, highlighting the effect that cognitive reserve has on them.
- Other protective factors or predictors of cognitive decline not commonly included among CR proxies (e.g., environment, nutrition, emotions), and how they affect brain functioning.
- Interventions that improve cognitive functions in the elderly population, emphasizing the brain functional correlates associated with these interventions.
- Animal models elucidating the brain mechanisms involved in aging, as well as the development of treatments to enhance cognition.
Keywords: Cognitive reserve in old age
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
