Cognitive Reserve Against Alzheimer's Pathology Is Linked to Brain Activity During Memory Formation

Abstract

The cognitive reserve (CR) hypothesis posits that individuals can differ in how their brain function is disrupted by pathology associated with aging and neurodegeneration. Here, we tested this hypothesis in the Alzheimers disease continuum using longitudinal data from 490 participants of the DELCODE multicentric observational study. Brain function was measured using task fMRI of visual memory encoding. Using a multivariate moderation analysis we identified a CR-related activity pattern underlying successful memory encoding that moderated the detrimental effect of AD pathological load on cognitive performance. CR was mainly represented by a more pronounced expression of the task-active network encompassing the default mode network (DMN), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and inferior temporal regions including the fusiform gyrus. We devised personalized fMRI-based CR scores that moderated the impact of AD pathology on cognitive performance and were positively associated with years of education. Furthermore, higher CR scores were associated with slower cognitive decline over time. Our findings suggest maintenance of core cognitive circuits including the DMN and ACC as the primary mechanism of CR. Individual brain activity levels of these areas during memory encoding have prognostic value for future cognitive decline.