Gamma entrainment as a therapeutic modality for the aging brain: a narrative review

The rapid growth of the aging population and the increasing life expectancy have led to a significant rise in the number of age-associated neurological disorders. Many of these disorders are unprecedented and lack effective treatment options, placing tremendous pressure on them to develop novel strategies aimed at prevention and intervention. To effectively address neurological disorders, it is important to understand the neurobiology of the aging brain through the lifespan, as aging itself is a primary risk factor for numerous neurological disorders. Consequently, targeting the biological processes of aging offers an avenue for preventing or delaying neurodegenerative decline. In recent years, gamma oscillations have emerged as a novel target in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders. However, the role of gamma activity in the aging brain remains underexplored. Investigating gamma oscillations in the aging brain offers a critical link between normal aging and the transition into neurological disorders. The aim of this review is to dive into alterations in gamma oscillation throughout aging with the goal of introducing a dual purpose: as a biomarker to detect early deviations from healthy aging and as a therapeutic modality, where gamma entrainment could be used to restore circuit-level dynamics.