Cognitive resilience:concept and its associated factors

Akihiko Nunomura

Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital

It has been estimated from postmortem brain and cerebrospinal fluid and imaging biomarker studies that the expression of cognitive resilience （CR）, a mechanism that allows cognitive function to be maintained even in the presence of brain pathology, is not uncommon in the elderly.　Indeed, approximately one in three elderly people in their 70～80s are considered to be resilient to amyloid pathology.　In recent years, molecules related to CR, such as REST and NRN1, have been identified, and their relationships with neuroprotection and growth factors, synaptic plasticity, inflammation and immunity, and vascular factors have been discussed.　Elucidation of the CR mechanisms is crucial for establishing strategies against dementia in the super-aging society.

Address correspondence to Dr. Akihiko Nunomura, Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University Daisan Hospital（4-11-1 Izumihoncho, Komae, Tokyo 201-8601, Japan）