Takeaway
A high cognitive reserve (CR) indicator – evaluated by education; early-, mid-, and late-life cognitive activities; and late-life social activity – may result in longitudinal preservation of cognitive functioning, and this association remains significant in the presence of high Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology or gross infarcts.
Why this matters
Studies evaluating the relationship between CR and cognitive function have been largely inconsistent, providing little direction for clinical practice. Results from this study support education and mentally stimulating activities throughout the lifespan to preserve late-life cognitive function.