Dopaminergic novelty detection and theta oscillations: Virtual reality‐based adaptive interventions for cognitive enhancement in aging

Aging closely correlates with impaired cognitive abilities, including learning, attention, and memory. These impairments are typically linked to disturbances in dopaminergic signaling and hippocampus theta oscillations, two essential processes involved in memory encoding and novelty detection. This review examines the relationship between theta oscillation activity and dopaminergic novelty detection processes, offering a fresh framework for improving adult cognitive function through virtual reality (VR)-based methods. The specific purpose of this review is to investigate how dopaminergic novelty detection and theta oscillations can be leveraged through VR-based adaptive interventions to enhance cognitive function in aging populations. It investigates how exposure to new stimuli in a VR setting may activate dopaminergic neurons and induce synchronized theta rhythms to improve memory and learning. The potential for adaptive VR systems that adjust task difficulty and novelty based on real-time neural feedback is also clarified by this review. By combining results from behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging research, it supports the development of tailored, non-invasive therapies that focus on the neurological underpinnings of cognitive decline. This approach is promising for reducing age-related cognitive decline and enhancing cognitive resilience throughout life.