“Mama, does Coco have a hippocampus?” asked my 7-year-old, pointing to our 6-month-old puppy. Since when did they start teaching about the brain this early in schools, I wondered. The hippocampus, a little seahorse-shaped nugget in the brain, has been a source of fascination for researchers since its significant role in memory was discovered.

Where did I put my keys? Did I turn off the gas stove? Did I turn in that assignment? Did I put a water bottle in my child’s lunch bag? These questions plague us every day and make us wonder if our memory is functioning as it should. Some of these things, however, don’t involve memory as much as they do our ability to pay attention to the world around us. So perhaps you may ask yourself, did I really pay attention to where I put my keys? The more demands we have, the harder it is for us to focus on the world around us.

The human brain is a remarkable organ, constantly evolving and adapting throughout life. One of its most fascinating features is its ability to form connections—billions of them. These connections, known as neural pathways, are the building blocks of cognition, memory, and learning. But did you know that how we engage with our brains can have a lasting impact on our cognitive health and ability to cope with aging or neurological challenges? Scientists call this cognitive reserve, and we will explore why it’s crucial to invest in building and strengthening your brain’s neural connections throughout your life.

At the heart of cognitive reserve are neural connections. Our brain is made up of neurons, which communicate with one another through synapses. When we learn something new, form memories, or solve problems, our neurons create new connections or strengthen existing ones. The more connections you have, the more adaptable and resilient your brain becomes.

Imagine your brain as a network of roads, with each road representing a neural connection. The more roads you have, the more routes you can take to reach your destination. If one road gets blocked (say, due to brain injury or aging), you still have many other routes to explore, which allows you to continue functioning effectively. This is where cognitive reserve comes into play: it helps the brain compensate for damage or decline by relying on those extra routes.

In a landmark study called the Nun Study, it was found that nuns who were believed to have higher levels of cognitive reserve were more resilient to certain types of dementia. Learning new things, engaging in creative pursuits, experiencing something different, managing stress, sleeping well, and exercising regularly have all been shown to contribute to building cognitive reserve. In essence, the more you invest in your brain’s health throughout your life, the more likely you are to maintain cognitive function well into old age. The brain’s ability to adapt and build new connections means that it’s never too late to start building cognitive reserve—whether you're 7 or 70.

Building cognitive reserve is like investing in your brain's future. Every time you challenge yourself to learn something new, engage in a social activity, or practice a mental workout, you’re strengthening the neural connections that will help you remain sharp, resilient, and adaptable throughout your life. So, whether you're teaching your child about the hippocampus or learning something new yourself, remember that the brain is a powerful organ that thrives on stimulation, curiosity, and continuous growth. By fostering these habits and staying proactive about brain health, we can all build a stronger cognitive reserve that will support us through the challenges of life and aging. The brain’s capacity for growth and adaptation is truly remarkable—just like a puppy’s hippocampus, it’s always ready to learn and evolve!