Motivational Reserve
Brain reserve (i.e., the ability of the brain to tolerate age- and disease-related changes in a way that cognitive function is still maintained) is assumed to be based on the lifelong training of various abilities. Motivational reserve (MR) is a form of brain reserve and can be defined as a set of motivational abilities that provide the individual with resilience to neuropathological damage. The first part of the chapter explains the term motivational processes and the model of MR and describes the measurement concept. The second part summarizes the results of several studies on the model of MR. For example, motivational abilities have been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease (AD) in apolipoprotein E ɛ4 carriers, but not in noncarriers. Revealing the mechanisms underlying the association of motivational abilities and cognitive decline may lead to novel strategies for delaying the onset of AD symptoms.