As we age, some cognitive lapses may appear unavoidable. However, in recent years, it’s become evident that age does not uniformly affect everyone’s brain. Even individuals with plaque buildup associated with Alzheimer’s disease can display sharp cognitive abilities, while others may experience considerable decline from relatively minor damage.

What distinguishes these individuals? The primary element is cognitive reserves, which provide a protective shield against brain aging and allow adaptation to various damages. This cognitive buffer is profoundly influenced by lifestyle choices, behaviors, and, perhaps, cognitive patterns.

With an improved understanding of cognitive reserves, scientists are increasingly exploring methods to enhance them. There are indeed ways to fortify our neural defenses, particularly during specific life stages.

The concept of cognitive reserve was first introduced by Yakov Stern at Columbia University in New York, indicating that higher levels of education and challenging professions are associated with a lower likelihood of developing dementia. Over the years, the ways we cultivate our brains can explain varying degrees of degeneration and differing outcomes influenced by numerous lifestyle factors.

This phenomenon is generally referred to as “cognitive reserve,” which can be categorized into three types. “Brain reserve” refers simply to the physical size of the brain; a larger brain may be more resilient to cognitive decline. “Cognitive reserve” denotes the dynamic capability of our brains to adapt in the face of degeneration—akin to taking alternate routes when the primary road is obstructed. Lastly, “brain maintenance” describes the brain’s proactive measures to safeguard itself against diseases.

The encouraging news is that, aside from education, many lifestyle factors influencing these essential defenses against cognitive decline have been identified. “We now appreciate cognitive reserves as dynamic attributes that evolve throughout our lives,” states Alvaro Pascual-Leone from Harvard Medical School.

One significant factor is bilingualism. Research by Ellen Bialystok at York University, who first identified the correlation between speaking a second language and enhanced cognitive reserve, indicates that bilingual individuals can delay the onset of dementia by up to four years. The mental agility required for switching languages seems to grant greater neural flexibility, allowing bilingual individuals to maintain cognitive function despite increased brain atrophy. Additionally, a recent study found that bilingualism supports the maintenance of the hippocampus, a brain region integral to memory processing.

Musical training is another impactful activity. Research released in July shows that elderly individuals who received music training displayed superior ability to discern speech in noisy environments compared to non-musicians. Brain imaging revealed that, unlike non-musicians, they did not need to engage additional neural networks to perform the task.

If you play informally, research indicates there may be a threshold effect. While occasional play does offer modest cognitive benefits, significant improvements arise from practicing for at least an hour nearly every day.

Physical exercise is often cited as beneficial, although the evidence is mixed. One study analyzing 454 post-mortem brains revealed that the most physically active individuals retained better cognitive function despite comparable levels of Alzheimer’s-related brain damage. This was true even when controlling for cognitive decline impairing motor abilities. Exercise enhances cerebral blood flow and increases protective brain chemicals, yet further investigation is necessary.

Is it ever too late to enhance cognitive reserves?

For years, experts believed that cognitive reserve was largely established during childhood—and there is some truth to this theory. “Without early stimulation, certain neural pathways may not develop fully. If not utilized later, these pathways can diminish over time,” explains Rhonda R. Voskuhl at UCLA.

However, recent findings demonstrate that cognitive reserves continue to develop throughout our lives. Middle age might present a particularly critical period for enhancement. Research indicates that those who remain mentally and physically active in their 40s and 50s—through reading, socializing, playing card games, learning new instruments, etc.—exhibit improved recognition abilities later in life. Importantly, these advantages are independent of childhood education or later activities. Thus, midlife offers unique opportunities for bolstering cognitive reserves.

And there’s no reason to stop—taking piano lessons later in life can protect against neurodegeneration. Even if you’re beginning to experience the decline you’re aiming to evade, opportunities to build reserves still exist, according to Pascual-Leone. “Individuals experiencing mild early cognitive decline due to Alzheimer’s can still strengthen their cognitive reserve, helping to mitigate or suspend the risk of dementia,” he states. “It is never too late.”

Finally, while it’s easy to focus on physical activities that enhance cognitive reserves, emerging research suggests that psychological traits may also play a significant role.

For instance, having a sense of purpose correlates with a greater quality of life, where individuals with a more substantial sense of purpose experience superior cognitive functioning despite similar levels of Alzheimer’s damage.

Similarly, maintaining a consistent mindset—the belief that life is comprehensible and manageable—can further enhance resilience against brain damage. Although the mechanism remains unidentified, several studies suggest that people exhibiting high coherence show reduced brain activation when completing identical tasks, hinting at enhanced neural efficiency as opposed to those with lower coherence.

The takeaway is that while you cannot alter the brain you were born with or the education you received early in life, it’s never too late to influence how it ages. It may not always be straightforward. “What challenges the brain is beneficial to the brain,” says Bialystok. However, engaging in social activities, staying physically active, learning a new language, playing an instrument, and finding purpose in life appear to be incredibly impactful.

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