What is this collection about?

Why do some people retain cognitive function into old age, even in the presence of brain pathology, while others experience marked cognitive decline? What biological and environmental factors allow some brains to age more successfully than others?

As the global population ages, identifying the mechanisms that preserve healthy brain function has become increasingly important. Advances in molecular biology, systems neuroscience, neuroimaging, epidemiology, and large longitudinal cohorts are transforming our ability to study cognitive resilience and resistance to age-related pathologies, as well as develop new therapeutic interventions.

In this collection we invite original research, reviews and perspectives that advance our understanding of the mechanisms and determinants of cognitive resilience in the aging brain.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Molecular and cellular mechanisms that promote resilience or resistance to cognitive decline
• Genetic, epigenetic and multi-omic factors associated with preserved cognitive function
• Neuroimmune, vascular, metabolic and systemic contributors to healthy cognitive aging
• Protective pathways in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
• Functional, structural and molecular neuroimaging studies of resilient aging
• Biomarkers and predictive models of cognitive maintenance and decline
• Lifestyle, environmental and social determinants of cognitive health
• Intervention studies aimed at promoting or preserving cognitive function

This is a joint Collection across Nature Progress Brain Health, Nature Aging, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, Communications Biology, and Sceintific Reports. Please see the relevant journal webpages to check which article types the journals consider. Communications Biology will not consider purely clinical, lifestyle, or epidemiological studies that lack a clear biological component.

Why is this collection important?

This is a cross-journal collection between Nature Progress Brain Health, Nature Aging, Nature Neuroscience, Nature Communications, Communications Biology, and Scientific Reports. Authors are welcome to submit to any of the participating journals. All manuscripts published in the collection are hosted on a dedicated nature portfolio portal, giving articles high visibility beyond the journal they are published in.

Why submit to a collection?

Collections like this one help promote high-quality science. They are led by In-House Editors who are experts in their fields and supported by a dedicated team of Commissioning Editors and Managing Editors at Springer Nature. Collection manuscripts typically see higher citations, downloads, and Altmetric scores, and provide a one-stop-shop on a cutting-edge topic of interest.

Who is involved?

Nature Progress Brain Health is edited by in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members.

Nature Aging is edited by in-house professional editors.

Nature Neuroscience is edited by in-house professional editors.

Nature Communications is edited by in-house professional editors.

Communications Biology is edited by both in-house professional editors and Editorial Board Members. 

Scientific Reports is managed by in-house professional editors and edited by Editorial Board Members.

Our editors work closely together to ensure the quality of our published papers and consistency in author experience.

How can I submit my paper?

• Visit the Collection page to find out more about this collection and submit your article.