Cognitive Reserve is the idea that someone’s individual brain may be able to deal with brain changes better because of a better brain network, or cognitive reserve. We can affect our brain network because of neuroplasticity: brains are able to change and adapt as a result of the environment and circumstances they are exposed to.
The better your cognitive reserve, the better your brain network can compensate for brain changes. When people have a bigger cognitive reserve, brain changes may affect someone less.