Affiliations: [a] Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| [b] Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| [c] Department of Human Sciences, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| [d] Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology and Behaviour, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| [e] Department of Psychology, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy
| [f] Clinical Imaging Science Center, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| [g] Department of Systemic Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Correspondence:
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Correspondence to: Francesca Gelfo, PhD, Associate Professor, Guglielmo Marconi University, Department of Human Sciences, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Department of Clinical and Behavioural Neurology, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, Rome 00143, Italy. Tel.: +0039 0650170 3149; Fax: +0039 0650170 3324; E-mail: [email protected].
Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.
Abstract: The concept of brain, cognitive, and neural reserves has been introduced to account for the apparent discrepancies between neurological damage and clinical manifestations. However, these ideas are yet theoretical suggestions that are not completely assimilated in the clinical routine. The mechanisms of the reserves have been extensively studied in neurodegenerative pathologies, in particular in Alzheimer’s disease. Both human and animal studies addressed this topic by following two parallel pathways. The specific aim of the present review is to attempt to combine the suggestions derived from the two different research fields to deepen the knowledge about reserves. In fact, the achievement of a comprehensive theoretical framework on reserve mechanisms is an essential step to propose well-timed interventions tailored to the clinical characteristics of patients. The present review highlights the importance of addressing three main aspects: the definition of reserve proxy measures, the interaction between reserve level and therapeutic interventions, and the specific time-window of reserve efficacy.
