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What evidence is there that older adults compensate for age-related changes in the brain?

Brain imaging studies, like one published in *eLife* in 2024, have provided compelling evidence that older adults recruit alternative brain regions and pathways to compensate for age-related neural declines. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, demonstrates how the aging brain can reorganize itself to maintain cognitive performance. A lifetime of stimulating activities, from education to physical exercise, contributes to building this resilience, a concept known as cognitive reserve.