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Building Cognitive Resilience Through Lifelong Learning
Cognitive reserve capacity and brain reserve capacity are interconnected concepts that describe the brain's ability to withstand neurodegenerative diseases. Engaging in lifelong learning, such as formal education, learning new languages, or acquiring skills in arts and sports, significantly enhances this cognitive reserve capacity. This learning process challenges and strengthens the brain's neural circuitry, akin to how physical exercise builds muscle. As a result, individuals with higher educational attainment and ongoing intellectual engagement exhibit greater resilience against conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia. The structural strengthening of the brain is reinforced by various biological mechanisms, resulting in enhanced connectivity among neurons. Consequently, a person with a rich learning history can maintain cognitive health for a longer duration, demonstrating a capacity to fend off the onset of degenerative diseases.