# Collaboratory on Research Definitions for Cognitive Reserve and Resilience

> **NIH NIH R24** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $807,672

## Abstract

Abstract
Research indicates that specific life exposures and genetic factors contribute to some people being more
resilient than others, with lower rates of cognitive decline with aging, and reduced risk of developing
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). There are likely several complex and highly interactive
mechanisms that lead to these individual differences in vulnerability to decline, probably reliant on both
structural and functional brain mechanisms. Key concepts often used in research in this area are cognitive
reserve, brain reserve and brain maintenance. However the definitions of these concepts differ across
researchers, and the translation from human to animal research is not well developed. Also their relationship to
other invoked concepts such as efficiency, capacity, and compensation are not well explicated. The goal of this
project is to work towards achieving state-of-the-art definitions for these concepts to allow researchers to use
common nomenclature. In addition the goal is to validate approaches to help advance research on these
approaches that will lead to better maintenance of brain and cognitive health and treatment and/or prevention
of ADRD. To that end we will hold three cross-discipline workshops that will bring together investigators to
discuss and come to consensus on these concepts, create focused workgroups that will examine each of these
issues, fund pilot grants designed to further the understanding and research applicability of these concepts,
and to develop data sharing and information exchange platforms to help guide promote research in this area.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9936112
- **Project number:** 5R24AG061421-03
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** YAAKOV STERN
- **Activity code:** R24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $807,672
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9936112

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9936112, Collaboratory on Research Definitions for Cognitive Reserve and Resilience (5R24AG061421-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9936112. Licensed CC0.

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