Research indicates that specific life exposures and genetic factors contribute to some people being more resilient than others, with lower rates of cognitive decline with aging, and reduced risk of developing Alzheimer?s disease and related dementias (ADRD). There are likely several complex and highly interactive mechanisms that lead to these individual differences in vulnerability to decline, probably reliant on both structural and functional brain mechanisms. Key concepts often used in research in this area are cognitive reserve, brain reserve and brain maintenance. However the definitions of these concepts differ across researchers, and the translation from human to animal research is not well developed. Also their relationship to other invoked concepts such as efficiency, capacity, and compensation are not well explicated. The goal of this project is to work towards achieving state-of-the-art definitions for these concepts to allow researchers to use common nomenclature. In addition the goal is to validate approaches to help advance research on these approaches that will lead to better maintenance of brain and cognitive health and treatment and/or prevention of ADRD. To that end we will hold three cross-discipline workshops that will bring together investigators to discuss and come to consensus on these concepts, create focused workgroups that will examine each of these issues, fund pilot grants designed to further the understanding and research applicability of these concepts, and to develop data sharing and information exchange platforms to help guide promote research in this area.
In order to achieve state-of-the-art definitions and research guidelines for key concepts associated with resilience against cognitive aging and Alzheimer?s disease related dementia, this project will hold three multidisciplinary workshops, establish focused work groups, create a data sharing and information platform, and support pilot grants designed to further the understanding of these concepts.
