Experiential factors mediate the link between brain status and theory of mind in building-up cognitive reserve.

ABSTRACT: Social cognition processes are essential for social interaction. Theory of Mind (ToM) is a complex component of social cognition involved in understanding one's own and others' thoughts and feelings, relying on well-established brain networks (ToM hardware). Interindividual differences emerge in how people recruit brain resources for mentalizing operations (ToM software), revealing a gap between brain status and cognitive performance. The present research aimed to test the role of cognitive reserve (CR) in explaining this gap. Fifty-seven adults underwent an MRI to evaluate neural integrity, and a neuropsychological assessment including ToM measures, and a retrospective interview on lifetime experiential factors. The tri-component model of CR was considered: neural integrity (both coarse-g

SUBMITTER: Isernia S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12559313 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature