Music increase altruism through regulating the secretion of steroid hormones and peptides

Dance and Music for Improving Health among Patients with Breast Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease: A Narrative Review

Although a longer life may bring new opportunities for older people and society, advancing age is a leading risk factor for developing several chronic diseases, consequently limiting the health span. During the ageing process, changes in the activity of several endocrine glands may occur, leading to different clinical conditions. Being physically active becomes fundamental for healthy ageing. Despite regular physical activity being shown to have many health benefits, patients with cancer and neurodegenerative diseases remain physically inactive. Over the past two decades, there has been a major increase in arts engagement (e.g., dance and music) on health and well-being in both clinical and non-clinical contexts. Dance and music have been shown to induce positive effects on hormonal glands, patients’ sociality, and self-confidence. Therefore, this review aims to highlight evidence regarding the effects of music and dance on hormonal responses and as preventive and compliance tools for heathy ageing in breast cancer and Parkinson’s disease patients.

Music Is Capable of Inducing Changes in Gene Expression in Gastric Cancer Cells

PURPOSE

Music has recognized beneficial effects on cancer patients; however, very little is known about the molecular processes which produce these benefits. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of music on proliferation and gene expression in gastric cancer cells.

METHODS

AGS gastric cancer cells were exposed to metal and classical music, and subsequently cell proliferation and expression of genes associated with apoptosis and cell-cycle control were evaluated.

RESULTS

Proliferation of AGS cells increased when exposed to metal music, but not when exposed to classical music. Gene expression of caspase-3 and 8 and cyclin B1 increased in response to both musical genres; classical music repressed the expression of p53, and metal music repressed the expression of PUMA.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to demonstrate music as a modulator of gene expression in a cancer cell line. Additional experiments are required to better understand the mechanisms of how different musical genres can induce changes in gene expression.