Can our life resources support successful aging?

The projections showing trends towards increased ageing of the populations and the resulting challenges to the welfare system, health care or economy have led to a great number of publications exploring possible ways to prevent cognitive decline in late life. Successful ageing, in accordance with the definition of the term, is reflected by cognitive, motor and social capacities maintained at a level incommensurate with normal aging. Attempts to explain this aging pattern refer to the so-called cognitive reserve. The concept relates to the resources acquired from early childhood through education or activity in various domains of life. These resources help maintain and compensate for age-related cognitive deficits. The article discusses the role of various components in the process of building the reserve, the relationship between the reserve and neurobiological factors, and some disputable issues.