Theoretical frameworks and approaches used within the Reserve, Resilience and Protective Factors professional interest area of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment.

Introduction: Reserve, resilience, maintenance, and related concepts are intensely debated in aging and Alzheimer's disease research.

Methods: Through a short survey, we gathered information about theoretical concepts and methodologies used among research groups of the Reserve, Resilience, and Protective Factors Professional Interest Area of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment.

Results: Overall 53 research groups responded. Reserve and resilience were the most frequently used conceptual frameworks. Education, occupation, leisure, and social activities were frequently used as measures, as were longitudinal designs. Neuropsychological assessments were almost universal, and usage of imaging biomarkers was frequent. In observational-epidemiological study designs, resilience and reserve together (vs reserve alone) were commonly used as theoretical frameworks.

Discussion: We provide a first description of concepts and methodologies used among reserve and resilience researchers. This will inform initiatives aiming to reach consensus on terminology and applications to establish common definitions.