Reference no: EM133648840

Question

Psychological theories and models help understand the cognitive and behavioral changes at the initial onset of symptoms. For instance, the cognitive reserve theory suggests that individuals with a higher cognitive reserve can tolerate more AD pathology before showing clinical symptoms (Stern, 2009). This theory can help identify early signs of AD, such as memory loss and confusion. The cognitive reserve theory is a psychological model used to understand the onset and progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This theory was proposed by Stern in 2002 and further elaborated in 2009. The cognitive reserve theory suggests that individuals with a higher cognitive reserve, the brain's ability to improvise and find alternate ways of getting a job done, can tolerate more AD pathology before showing clinical symptoms. They have more efficient brain networks and can compensate for brain aging or damage using different cognitive strategies. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how this theory works: Cognitive reserve is built over a lifetime through education, mentally stimulating activities, and overall cognitive engagement. When AD pathology begins, individuals with a higher cognitive reserve can better compensate for the occurring brain damage. They do this by using more efficient brain networks or alternative strategies. As a result, these individuals can tolerate more AD pathology (i.e., more brain damage) before they start showing clinical symptoms such as memory loss and confusion. Therefore, the cognitive reserve theory can help identify early signs of AD. If an individual with a high cognitive reserve starts showing symptoms like memory loss and confusion, it could indicate that a significant amount of AD pathology has already occurred. To sum up, the cognitive reserve theory provides a framework for understanding why some individuals show clinical symptoms of AD later than others despite having the same amount of brain pathology. It emphasizes the importance of lifelong cognitive engagement in protecting against AD.