Ibrain最新文献

{"title":"A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing McKenzie and stabilization exercises for non-specific neck pain in females aged 18–50 years: Effects on proprioception, pain, disability, and deep neck flexor endurance","authors":"Azzam Alarab,&nbsp;Abeer Alsharawi,&nbsp;Issam AbuQeis,&nbsp;Abeer Teeti,&nbsp;Osama Khodrog","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70029","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ibra.70029","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This pilot study compared the effects of McKenzie and cervical stabilization exercises on proprioception, pain, disability, and deep neck flexor endurance in females aged 18–50 years with non-specific neck pain (NSNP). In this single-blind, randomized controlled pilot trial, 40 females (18–50 years) with chronic NSNP were allocated to McKenzie (Group A, <i>n</i> = 20) or stabilization (Group B, <i>n</i> = 20). Outcomes were assessed pre/post-intervention using JPE, VAS, NPADS, and deep neck flexor endurance tests. Both groups received three sessions/week for 4 weeks. Between-group analyses used two-way mixed ANOVA; ANCOVA was used to adjust for baseline differences in VAS and left-rotation JPE. Effect sizes were reported as ηp² and Cohen's <i>d</i>. Although both interventions produced clinically significant within-group improvements across all measured outcomes, mixed ANOVA showed no significant Time × Group interactions for VAS, NPADS, endurance, or JPE flexion/extension/right rotation (all <i>p</i> &gt; 0.05). A significant Time × Group interaction was initially observed for left-rotation JPE (F(1,38) = 7.486, <i>p</i> = 0.009, <i>ηp</i>² = 0.165). However, after adjustment for the baseline imbalance, ANCOVA showed no significant between-group difference in left-rotation JPE, indicating comparable efficacy between interventions. ANCOVA also confirmed no significant between-group difference in post-intervention VAS after baseline adjustment. All participants (100%) achieved the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) (≥2-point VAS reduction). In conclusion, both interventions are effective for NSNP, with comparable efficacy across most outcomes. After accounting for baseline differences, no significant between-group superiority was demonstrated, including for left-rotation proprioception.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 3","pages":"290-301"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13548818/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148908366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tree-drawing test characteristics as potential predictors of adolescent depressive disorders","authors":"Yibin Lu,&nbsp;Xutong Chen,&nbsp; Qiqige,&nbsp;Rong Yi,&nbsp;Jike Bai","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70030","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ibra.70030","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study examined the relationship between adolescent depressive disorders and drawing characteristics identified in the Tree-Drawing Test (TDT) and developed a predictive model based on TDT features. Participants included 48 adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorders and 32 healthy controls. All participants completed the TDT and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Group differences in drawing characteristics were analyzed using chi-square tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted with depressive disorder status (presence vs. absence) as the dependent variable and selected drawing characteristics as independent variables to identify significant predictors. Significant differences between the depression and control groups were found across 10 drawing characteristics. Logistic regression analyses indicated that tree shading or darkened areas (odds ratio [OR] = 4.155, <i>p</i> = 0.045), overly detailed depiction of the tree (OR = 7.094, <i>p</i> = 0.007), and disorganized crown lines (OR = 7.828, <i>p</i> = 0.003) were potential independent predictors of adolescent depressive disorders. A logistic model incorporating these three characteristics achieved an overall classification accuracy of 83.8% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.900. These findings provide preliminary evidence that the TDT may serve as a useful supplementary tool for the assessment of depressive disorder in adolescents. Further validation in larger and independent samples is required.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 3","pages":"302-311"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13595046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serotonin neuromicrobiology: Psychobiotic modulation of the gut–brain axis for mental health","authors":"Nidhi Mandloi,&nbsp; Aarzoo,&nbsp;Chakkaravarthi Saravanan,&nbsp;Heera Ram,&nbsp;Bhim Pratap Singh","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70028","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ibra.70028","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The rise in mental health disorders has increased interest in novel natural therapeutic approaches beyond pharmacological interventions. Psychobiotics are live microorganisms that confer mental health benefits and have emerged as a promising intervention targeting the gut–brain axis. Evidence from preclinical studies demonstrated that psychobiotics can restore neurotransmitter balance by modulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. However, significant challenges remain, including the limited availability of clinical studies, determining optimal dosages, and understanding the long-term benefits of specific psychobiotic strains and their application in food matrices. This review highlights the findings from recent studies to identify psychobiotics' capability on tryptophan metabolism and their role in facilitating the synthesis of serotonin to propose a mechanistic framework for microbe-driven serotonin. While the eukaryotic pathways of serotonin biosynthesis are well defined, the specific mechanism by which bacteria contribute to this synthesis remains less understood; elucidating this metabolic link is essential. Beyond mechanism, this review evaluates the synergy between psychobiotics and food matrices to showcase the therapeutic approach to address the limitations of current interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 3","pages":"312-329"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13528599/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148868760","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beyond motor recovery: Stem cell-derived exosomes for sensory restoration and neuropathic pain relief after spinal cord injury","authors":"Md Miftahul Mithu,&nbsp; Sahiduzzaman,&nbsp;Shirsendu Narayan Roy,&nbsp;John Jacob Mathew,&nbsp;Devunipalli Karthik Haraveer,&nbsp;Basundhari Thongbam,&nbsp;Kancharllapalli Prasanna Kumar,&nbsp;Sourov Dey,&nbsp;Md Arifuzzaman","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes persistent neurological deficits that extend beyond motor impairment, with sensory dysfunction and neuropathic pain substantially compromising quality of life. Stem cell-derived exosomes have emerged as promising cell-free therapeutic agents because they deliver diverse bioactive molecules, including proteins, microRNAs, and long non-coding RNAs, while retaining many of the paracrine benefits of stem cells. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of stem cell-derived exosomes for sensory restoration and neuropathic pain relief after SCI, with particular emphasis on their underlying mechanisms and emerging delivery strategies. We first discuss exosome biogenesis, molecular composition, intercellular communication, and engineering approaches. We then summarize their established roles in motor recovery through neuroprotection, immunomodulation, axonal regeneration and myelin repair. Importantly, we highlight emerging evidence that stem cell-derived exosomes may restore sensory function by promoting axonal regeneration, synaptic remodeling, neural differentiation, and glial metabolic reprogramming. In parallel, exosomes alleviate neuropathic pain by suppressing microglial and astrocytic activation, modulating TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signaling, reducing neuroinflammation and pathological nociceptive signaling, and promoting remyelination and tissue repair. Exosomes also preserve blood-spinal cord barrier integrity through regulation of endothelial cells, pericytes, matrix metalloproteinases, and vascular signaling, for both motor and sensory recovery. Finally, we discuss challenges related to exosome heterogeneity, manufacturing standardization, delivery, safety, and limited sensory-specific evidence, and highlight engineering and biomaterial-based strategies for future clinical translation. Overall, stem cell-derived exosomes represent a multifunctional therapeutic platform with potential to move SCI treatment beyond motor recovery toward comprehensive sensory restoration and pain management.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 3","pages":"330-349"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149068127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neuroprotective effect of normal and modified mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes by mitigating Alzheimer's-related oxidative and inflammatory damage via Nrf2/HO-1 in SH-SY5Y cells","authors":"Rishika Dhapola,&nbsp;Prajjwal Sharma,&nbsp;Sneha Kumari,&nbsp;Balachandar Vellingiri,&nbsp;Dibbanti HariKrishnaReddy","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70027","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ibra.70027","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Exosome therapy is emerging as a promising neuroprotective strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We evaluated and compared whether normal exosomes (NE) and modified exosomes (ME) derived from AD rat brain extract-treated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells possess the potential to protect SH-SY5Y cells against streptozotocin (STZ) induced toxicity. The effect of exosomes on oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal survival was evaluated. Further, antioxidant mechanism of exosomes by nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling was explored. Cells were exposed to 5 mM STZ and treated with NE and ME at an equivalent concentration of 50 µg/mL. Exosomes were characterized by specific exosomal markers, CD63 and CD9. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Neuronal growth and survival were evaluated by measuring brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) using ELISA and neuronal nuclei (NeuN) expression using immunocytochemistry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined using H₂DCFDA, while inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified by ELISA. Expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 were also determined. Exosome treatment improved cell viability, reduced ROS, and lowered IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Immunocytochemistry quantification showed increased nuclear Nrf2 and HO-1 expression in exosome-treated cells. Moreover, our data indicate that ME derived from AD rat brain extract-treated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are more potent in protecting SH-SY5Y cells from STZ-induced oxidative stress and inflammation, possibly via Nrf2/HO-1 signaling, as compared to NE. These in vitro results support further preclinical evaluation of exosome-based strategies for AD.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 3","pages":"277-289"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13453975/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148709132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The impact of exercise on cognitive function and brain health across the lifespan: A systematic review","authors":"Issam AbuQeis,&nbsp;Abeer Teeti,&nbsp;Amro Titi","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70024","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Exercise has profound positive effects on cognitive function and brain health throughout different life stages. This systematic review aims to evaluate the multifaceted impacts of exercise on cognitive function, neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter expression, cerebrovascular function, and age-related cognitive decline across the lifespan. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for studies examining exercise interventions and cognitive function. Eligibility criteria included studies involving human participants across all age groups and animal models focusing on molecular mechanisms. The review employed qualitative synthesis to examine exercise modalities and age-specific effects. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists. A total of 37 studies were included in the final synthesis (young adults: 2, middle-aged adults: 7, older adults/neurodegenerative diseases: 13, molecular mechanisms: 15). Regular physical activity, including aerobic, resistance, and combined training, significantly enhances cognitive abilities, promotes neuroplasticity, and mitigates age-related cognitive decline. Key molecular mechanisms include upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and modulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. Exercise serves as a potent non-pharmacological intervention for maintaining cognitive vitality and mental health. Limitations include heterogeneity in exercise protocols and outcome measures across studies. Future research should focus on multi-omics approaches to further elucidate cell-type-specific effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 2","pages":"190-200"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70024","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148336820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction to “RETRACTION: Clinical Effectiveness and Treatment Satisfaction Between Two Triple-Therapy Regimens in Treating Neuropathic Pain: A Real World Data”","authors":"","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70023","url":null,"abstract":"<p>“RETRACTION: Clinical Effectiveness and Treatment Satisfaction Between Two Triple-Therapy Regimens in Treating Neuropathic Pain: A Real World Data,” <i>Ibrain</i> 12, 1 (2026): 165. https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70012</p><p>The following section has been added to the retraction notice post publication:</p><p>Following publication of this retraction notice, co‑author Vennila Jaganathan contacted the journal to clarify that they were not aware of the issues leading to the retraction decision, that their contribution to the manuscript was limited to data analysis, and that, in their view, this contribution does not meet the criteria for authorship. They further stated that the decision to retract the article was made solely by the corresponding author Nithya Raju, who had not appropriately informed the co-authors. Although communication regarding the retraction decision was sent to all co‑authors using the contact details provided at article submission, co‑author Vennila Jaganathan states that they were not informed of, and did not consent to, the retraction decision.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148336821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesized flavone attenuates diabetes-induced neurodegeneration through regulation of oxidative stress and metabolic-neurodegenerative molecular pathways","authors":"Karishma Sen,&nbsp;Anita Sakarwal,&nbsp;Heera Ram,&nbsp;Suman K. Saha,&nbsp;Nirmal K. Rana,&nbsp;Dharmveer Yadav,&nbsp;Sunil Dutt Shukla,&nbsp;Mukesh Kumar Yadav,&nbsp;Balachandar Vellingiri,&nbsp;Vikas Kumar","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Flavone derivatives of natural products are often synthesized to enhance their structural specificity, target selectivity, and bioavailability. The current study aimed to examine the neuroprotective efficacy of flavone derivative in diabetic associated neurodegenerations through systematic assessments of in-silico and in-vivo. The synthesized flavone (2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one) was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and FTIR. The in-vivo assessments were performed by following the serum biochemistry of homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), antioxidant and histopathology of cortex and hippocampus. The in-silico assessment of molecular docking showed −6.6 Kcal/mol with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 enzyme (DPP4), −7.8 with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and −9.5 with butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The diabetic neurodegeneration model was induced by the chemical induction method and treated with the test compound at a dose of 40 mg/kg in comparison to sitagliptin. The treatment of the test compound showed significant alterations in the cortex and hippocampus region with mitigated neuronal injuries which endorsed by expressions targeted genes including glucose transporter 3 (GLUT-3), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β), microtubule associated protein (MAP)-Tau, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Furthermore, the lipid profile and oxidative stress were ameliorated significantly by the course of treatment. In conclusion, the synthesized flavone has significant capability to promote neuroprotective effects in diabetes associated neurodegeneration through mitigating oxidative stress and modulating the expression of the targeted genes, thereby alleviating neuronal injuries.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 2","pages":"259-272"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70019","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148336823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Berberine alleviates pyroptosis of retinal ganglion cells in diabetic retinopathy by regulating AKT1, JUN, and STAT3","authors":"Na Li,&nbsp;Ji-Lin Chen,&nbsp;Yi-Jian Sun,&nbsp;Jia-Fan Sun,&nbsp;Fatin Athirah Pauzi,&nbsp;Song-Lin Zhu,&nbsp;Amy Yi Hsan Saik,&nbsp;Alan Han-Kiat Ong","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Berberine (BBR) exerts an effective protection for diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the underlying key molecular mechanism remains unknown; this study investigated the protective mechanism of BBR on DR by alleviating cell pyroptosis. A rat DR model was established and treated with BBR, and histological analyses, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and immunofluorescence, were executed to evaluate tissue changes. Core target genes were identified using the GeneCards database, Venn diagram analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction networks, and molecular docking. Validation of key genes was performed via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot, and RNA interference. BBR improved retinal morphology, reduced edema, and restored the arrangement of retinal ganglion cells in DR rats. BBR significantly reduced the levels of pyroptosis markers such as IL-1β and IL-18, which were elevated in DR. Network pharmacology identified 10 hub genes, with six genes (<i>JUN</i>, <i>STAT3</i>, <i>AKT1</i>, <i>TP53</i>, <i>IL-1B</i>, <i>EGFR</i>) further analyzed. BBR reversed DR-induced upregulation of <i>JUN</i>, <i>STAT3</i>, and <i>AKT1</i> at both the mRNA and protein levels, as confirmed by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Silencing these genes enhanced cell viability and amplified BBR's protective effects. Altogether, BBR alleviates retinal inflammation and pyroptosis in diabetic retinal ganglion cells by targeting <i>JUN</i>, <i>STAT3</i>, and <i>AKT1</i>, providing insights into its therapeutic potential for DR.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 2","pages":"222-237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70018","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148336835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dopaminergic novelty detection and theta oscillations: Virtual reality-based adaptive interventions for cognitive enhancement in aging","authors":"Abraham Olufemi Asuku,&nbsp;Ayodeji Johnson Ajibare","doi":"10.1002/ibra.70021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ibra.70021","url":null,"abstract":"<p>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.</p>","PeriodicalId":94030,"journal":{"name":"Ibrain","volume":"12 2","pages":"169-189"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ibra.70021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148336825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}