Unraveling the mystery of cognitive resilience in aging brains

Some brains resist Alzheimer's, even when the disease is already present. Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience have found that this likely depends on how specific brain cells, known as immature neurons, respond to damage caused by the disease. These insights are helping scientists unravel the mystery of cognitive resilience in aging.

Why do some people experience memory loss and cognitive decline as Alzheimer's builds up in their brain, while others stay mentally sharp? This question lies at the heart of new research into "cognitive resilience", a phenomenon that is gaining attention in neuroscience.

Around 30 percent of older adults who develop Alzheimer's disease never experience its symptoms. We really don't know why. That's a big mystery, and a very important one."

One possible explanation is that resilient brains are better at repairing themselves during Alzheimer's. "Perhaps they can add new brain cells to a network that is degenerating", Salta says.