Think of your brain as a savings account. Every time you learn something new, engage in conversation, or wrestle with a Saturday crossword, you’re making a deposit — not in dollars, but in cognitive reserve . Cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to improvise, adapt, and find alternate routes when age or illness (like Alzheimer’s or stroke) tries to block the way. The more “mental deposits” you’ve made over a lifetime—through education, social engagement, and challenging
