Memory Enhancement

The brain possesses an important quality called “plasticity” or “neuroplasticity,” which means it has a remarkable ability to compensate for damages or illness by creating new neural connections and rewiring existing ones. Brain experts describe this storehouse of mental compensation abilities as cognitive reserve. The brain possesses an important quality called “plasticity” or “neuroplasticity,” which means it has a remarkable ability to compensate for damages or illness by creating new neural connections and rewiring existing ones. Brain experts describe this storehouse of mental compensation abilities as cognitive reserve.

The brain is essentially a learning machine. Like a muscle, it weakens without use and is strengthened through exercise. Improving the brain with new and different challenges helps keep it robust and healthy—and builds the all-important cognitive reserve. Scientists have found that high cognitive reserve can stave off some of the effects of brain degeneration, because the brain has been trained to be nimble enough to work around physical barriers. Keeping your brain active, engaged and curious—through brain and mental agility exercises, physical activity and social interaction—improves overall brain function and leads to rich stores of cognitive reserve.