Skip to main content

Cognitive Buffer Capacity

Meaning

Cognitive Buffer Capacity represents the brain’s intrinsic reserve and dynamic resilience against functional decline induced by age, pathology, or chronic stress. This capacity is not merely determined by the gross quantity of neurons but by the efficiency, redundancy, and structural plasticity of neural networks and their critical glial and vascular support systems. Individuals with a high cognitive buffer can sustain significant neuropathological changes, such as amyloid plaque accumulation, without exhibiting overt clinical symptoms of cognitive impairment. This metric is a crucial indicator of neurological longevity and is positively influenced by factors like education, physical activity, and a balanced, neuroprotective hormonal milieu.