What is CR in neurology?

Both hypotheses emphasize the importance of cognitive and neural reserve in protecting against the negative effects of brain pathology. They also highlight the potential for interventions that target these factors to improve cognitive outcomes in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases.

Cognitive reserve (CR) is a concept that describes the brain's ability to compensate for pathological changes and maintain cognitive functioning despite underlying disease processes. It is a key factor in understanding how individuals with similar brain pathologies can exhibit varying degrees of clinical symptoms and outcomes.

According to Stern (2002), CR can be thought of as a buffer that protects the brain from the detrimental effects of disease. Higher levels of CR are associated with better cognitive performance and slower cognitive decline in the face of neurodegenerative conditions.

Two main hypotheses have been proposed to explain the relationship between CR and clinical outcomes. The first hypothesis suggests that CR reflects an individual's lifetime experiences and cognitive stimulation, which contribute to the development of more efficient and resilient neural networks.

The second hypothesis proposes that CR represents a form of neural plasticity or the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize in response to injury or disease. This hypothesis suggests that individuals with higher CR have greater capacity to reallocate neural resources and compensate for damaged areas.