Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Jun;22(6):e71538. doi: 10.1002/alz.71538.
ABSTRACT
Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) are common in older adults and are typically associated with cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). However, little remains known about non-pharmacological, modifiable lifestyle variables that may build cognitive reserve against cSVD/VCID. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review of the existing literature on this topic, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We identified and reviewed over 1000 articles that included keywords associated with cSVD/VCID and cognitive reserve. Only a small number of these articles met our inclusion criteria for testing moderation with CR. Our review comprehensively evaluates and synthesizes results from these studies, which produce a pattern of mixed findings. We discuss the factors that may have contributed to these findings and conclude with a discussion of current gaps in the literature and recommendations for future research to address these knowledge gaps.
PMID:42309982 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71538