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Yeom D, Haslam N, Tan YT, McPherson GE, Wilson SJ. Twin Data Support a Sensitive Period for Singing Ability. Twin Res Hum Genet 2024:1-11. [PMID: 39355955 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2024.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2024]
Abstract
As with many other musical traits, the social environment is a key influence on the development of singing ability. While the familial singing environment is likely to be formative, its role relative to other environmental influences such as training is unclear. We used structural equation modeling to test relationships among demographic characteristics, familial environmental variables (early and current singing with family), vocal training, and singing ability in a large, previously documented sample of Australian twins (N = 1163). Notably, early singing with family, and to a lesser extent vocal training, predicted singing ability, whereas current singing with family did not. Early familial singing also mediated the relationship between sex and singing ability, with men who sang less with family during childhood showing poorer ability. Bivariate twin models between early familial singing and singing ability showed the phenotypic correlation was largely explained by shared environmental influences. This raises the possibility of a sensitive period for singing ability, with sociocultural expectations around singing potentially differentiating the developmental trajectories of this skill for men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yeom
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nick Haslam
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yi Ting Tan
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary E McPherson
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah J Wilson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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2
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Matthews TE, Lumaca M, Witek MAG, Penhune VB, Vuust P. Music reward sensitivity is associated with greater information transfer capacity within dorsal and motor white matter networks in musicians. Brain Struct Funct 2024:10.1007/s00429-024-02836-x. [PMID: 39052097 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-024-02836-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
There are pronounced differences in the degree to which individuals experience music-induced pleasure which are linked to variations in structural connectivity between auditory and reward areas. However, previous studies exploring the link between white matter structure and music reward sensitivity (MRS) have relied on standard diffusion tensor imaging methods, which present challenges in terms of anatomical accuracy and interpretability. Further, the link between MRS and connectivity in regions outside of auditory-reward networks, as well as the role of musical training, have yet to be investigated. Therefore, we investigated the relation between MRS and structural connectivity in a large number of directly segmented and anatomically verified white matter tracts in musicians (n = 24) and non-musicians (n = 23) using state-of-the-art tract reconstruction and fixel-based analysis. Using a manual tract-of-interest approach, we additionally tested MRS-white matter associations in auditory-reward networks seen in previous studies. Within the musician group, there was a significant positive relation between MRS and fiber density and cross section in the right middle longitudinal fascicle connecting auditory and inferior parietal cortices. There were also positive relations between MRS and fiber-bundle cross-section in tracts connecting the left thalamus to the ventral precentral gyrus and connecting the right thalamus to the right supplementary motor area, however, these did not survive FDR correction. These results suggest that, within musicians, dorsal auditory and motor networks are crucial to MRS, possibly via their roles in top-down predictive processing and auditory-motor transformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas E Matthews
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, Building 1A, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark.
| | - Massimo Lumaca
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, Building 1A, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
| | - Maria A G Witek
- Department of Music School of Languages, Art History and Music, University of Birmingham, Cultures, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Virginia B Penhune
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, H4B 1R6, Canada
| | - Peter Vuust
- Center for Music in the Brain, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, Building 1A, Aarhus C, 8000, Denmark
- Royal Academy of Music, Skovgaardsgade 2C, Aarhus C, DK-8000, Denmark
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3
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Chen J, Chen X, Gong L, Zhang D, Liu Q. Behind the wheel: exploring gray matter variations in experienced drivers. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17228. [PMID: 38618564 PMCID: PMC11015830 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Driving is a complex skill involving various cognitive activities. Previous research has explored differences in the brain structures related to the navigational abilities of drivers compared to non-drivers. However, it remains unclear whether changes occur in the structures associated with low-level sensory and higher-order cognitive abilities in drivers. Methods Gray matter volume, assessed via voxel-based morphometry analysis of T1-weighted images, is considered a reliable indicator of structural changes in the brain. This study employs voxel-based morphological analysis to investigate structural differences between drivers (n = 22) and non-drivers (n = 20). Results The results indicate that, in comparison to non-drivers, drivers exhibit significantly reduced gray matter volume in the middle occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, and cerebellum, suggesting a relationship with driving-related experience. Furthermore, the volume of the middle occipital gyrus, and middle temporal gyrus, is found to be marginally negative related to the years of driving experience, suggesting a potential impact of driving experience on gray matter volume. However, no significant correlations were observed between driving experiences and frontal gray matter volume. Conclusion These findings suggest that driving skills and experience have a pronounced impact on the cortical areas responsible for low-level sensory and motor processing. Meanwhile, the influence on cortical areas associated with higher-order cognitive function appears to be minimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangtao Chen
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoyu Chen
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Li Gong
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Di Zhang
- School of Psychology, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, Liaoning, China
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Sciences, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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4
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Martins M, Reis AM, Gaser C, Castro SL. Individual differences in rhythm perception modulate music-related motor learning: a neurobehavioral training study with children. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21552. [PMID: 38057419 PMCID: PMC10700636 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48132-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rhythm and motor function are intrinsically linked to each other and to music, but the rhythm-motor interplay during music training, and the corresponding brain mechanisms, are underexplored. In a longitudinal training study with children, we examined the role of rhythm predisposition in the fine motor improvements arising from music training, and which brain regions would be implicated. Fifty-seven 8-year-olds were assigned to either a 6-month music training (n = 21), sports training (n = 18), or a control group (n = 18). They performed rhythm and motor tasks, and structural brain scans before and after training were collected. Better ability to perceive rhythm before training was related to less gray matter volume in regions of the cerebellum, fusiform gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, ventral diencephalon, amygdala, and inferior/middle temporal gyri. Music training improved motor performance, and greater improvements correlated with better pre-training rhythm discrimination. Music training also induced a loss of gray matter volume in the left cerebellum and fusiform gyrus, and volume loss correlated with higher motor gains. No such effects were found in the sports and control groups. In summary, children with finer-tuned rhythm perception abilities were prone to finer motor improvements through music training, and this rhythm-motor link was to some extent subserved by the left cerebellum and fusiform gyrus. These findings have implications for models on music-related plasticity and rhythm cognition, and for programs targeting motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Martins
- University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL), 1649-026, Lisboa, Portugal
- Center for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Christian Gaser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - São Luís Castro
- Center for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
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5
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Ling Y, Xu C, Wen X, Li J, Gao J, Luo B. Cortical responses to auditory stimulation predict the prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 153:11-20. [PMID: 37385110 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the prognosis of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) using auditory stimulation with electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. METHODS We enrolled 72 patients with DoC in the study, which involved subjecting patients to auditory stimulation while EEG responses were recorded. Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R) scores and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were determined for each patient and followed up for three months. A frequency spectrum analysis was performed on the EEG recordings. Finally, the power spectral density (PSD) index was used to predict the prognosis of patients with DoC based on a support vector machine (SVM) model. RESULTS Power spectral analyses revealed that the cortical response to auditory stimulation showed a decreasing trend with decreasing consciousness levels. Auditory stimulation-induced changes in absolute PSD at the delta and theta bands were positively correlated with the CRS-R and GOS scores. Furthermore, these cortical responses to auditory stimulation had a good ability to discriminate between good and poor prognoses of patients with DoC. CONCLUSIONS Auditory stimulation-induced changes in the PSD were highly predictive of DoC outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings showed that cortical responses to auditory stimulation may be an important electrophysiological indicator of prognosis in patients with DoC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Ling
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Chuan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China
| | - Xinrui Wen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jingqi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Mingzhou Brain Rehabilitation Hospital, Hangzhou 311215, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Hangzhou Mingzhou Brain Rehabilitation Hospital, Hangzhou 311215, China
| | - Benyan Luo
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China.
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6
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Shenker JJ, Steele CJ, Zatorre RJ, Penhune VB. Using cortico-cerebellar structural patterns to classify early- and late-trained musicians. Hum Brain Mapp 2023. [PMID: 37326147 PMCID: PMC10365229 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A body of current evidence suggests that there is a sensitive period for musical training: people who begin training before the age of seven show better performance on tests of musical skill, and also show differences in brain structure-especially in motor cortical and cerebellar regions-compared with those who start later. We used support vector machine models-a subtype of supervised machine learning-to investigate distributed patterns of structural differences between early-trained (ET) and late-trained (LT) musicians and to better understand the age boundaries of the sensitive period for early musicianship. After selecting regions of interest from the cerebellum and cortical sensorimotor regions, we applied recursive feature elimination with cross-validation to produce a model which optimally and accurately classified ET and LT musicians. This model identified a combination of 17 regions, including 9 cerebellar and 8 sensorimotor regions, and maintained a high accuracy and sensitivity (true positives, i.e., ET musicians) without sacrificing specificity (true negatives, i.e., LT musicians). Critically, this model-which defined ET musicians as those who began their training before the age of 7-outperformed all other models in which age of start was earlier or later (between ages 5-10). Our model's ability to accurately classify ET and LT musicians provides additional evidence that musical training before age 7 affects cortico-cerebellar structure in adulthood, and is consistent with the hypothesis that connected brain regions interact during development to reciprocally influence brain and behavioral maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Shenker
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christopher J Steele
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Robert J Zatorre
- BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Virginia B Penhune
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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7
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Neuroplasticity enables bio-cultural feedback in Paleolithic stone-tool making. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2877. [PMID: 36807588 PMCID: PMC9938911 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29994-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Stone-tool making is an ancient human skill thought to have played a key role in the bio-cultural co-evolutionary feedback that produced modern brains, culture, and cognition. To test the proposed evolutionary mechanisms underpinning this hypothesis we studied stone-tool making skill learning in modern participants and examined interactions between individual neurostructural differences, plastic accommodation, and culturally transmitted behavior. We found that prior experience with other culturally transmitted craft skills increased both initial stone tool-making performance and subsequent neuroplastic training effects in a frontoparietal white matter pathway associated with action control. These effects were mediated by the effect of experience on pre-training variation in a frontotemporal pathway supporting action semantic representation. Our results show that the acquisition of one technical skill can produce structural brain changes conducive to the discovery and acquisition of additional skills, providing empirical evidence for bio-cultural feedback loops long hypothesized to link learning and adaptive change.
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8
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Acuña F, Jeria R, Pavez E, Aguilar-Vidal E. Efferent Control in Musicians: A Review. Audiol Res 2023; 13:76-85. [PMID: 36648928 PMCID: PMC9844302 DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
It is widely established that musicians possess a higher level in certain auditory perceptual abilities when compared to non-musicians. This improvement may be mediated, at least in part, by changes in the cochlear response induced by reflex activation of the olivocochlear efferent system. In this review, we describe and analyze the scientific evidence regarding possible differences in the efferent response in musicians and non-musicians. The main evidence observed is that musicians present a greater robustness of the efferent olivocochlear reflex when measured by suppression of otoacoustic emissions and compared to non-musicians. Analyzing the articles presented in this review, it is possible to point out that the differential role of the efferent effect in musicians is not yet established. There is not enough evidence to support the idea that the olivocochlear system favors comparative changes in the properties of musicians' auditory filters. New studies with psychoacoustic techniques, among others, are needed to measure the effect of the olivocochlear reflex on tuning, gain, compression, or temporal resolution in musicians and non-musicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Acuña
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Jeria
- Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Elisabeth Pavez
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
| | - Enzo Aguilar-Vidal
- Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8380453, Chile
- Correspondence:
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9
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Murphy SA, Chen L, Doherty JM, Acharyya P, Riley N, Johnson AM, Walker A, Domash H, Jorgensen M, Bayat S, Carr DB, Ances BM, Babulal GM. Cognitive and brain reserve predict decline in adverse driving behaviors among cognitively normal older adults. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1076735. [PMID: 36619039 PMCID: PMC9817101 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1076735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Daily driving is a multi-faceted, real-world, behavioral measure of cognitive functioning requiring multiple cognitive domains working synergistically to complete this instrumental activity of daily living. As the global population of older adult continues to grow, motor vehicle crashes become more frequent among this demographic. Cognitive reserve (CR) is the brain's adaptability or functional robustness despite damage, while brain reserve (BR) refers the structural, neuroanatomical resources. This study examined whether CR and BR predicted changes in adverse driving behaviors in cognitively normal older adults. Cognitively normal older adults (Clinical Dementia Rating 0) were enrolled from longitudinal studies at the Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Washington University. Participants (n = 186) were ≥65 years of age, required to have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data, neuropsychological testing data, and at least one full year of naturalistic driving data prior to the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown in the United States (March 2020) as measured by Driving Real World In-vehicle Evaluation System (DRIVES). Findings suggest numerous changes in driving behaviors over time were predicted by increased hippocampal and whole brain atrophy, as well as lower CR scores as proxied by the Wide Range Achievement Test 4. These changes indicate that those with lower BR and CR are more likely to reduce their driving exposure and limit trips as they age and may be more likely to avoid highways where speeding and aggressive maneuvers frequently occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A. Murphy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ling Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jason M. Doherty
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Prerana Acharyya
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Noah Riley
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ann M. Johnson
- Center for Clinical Studies, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Alexis Walker
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Hailee Domash
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Maren Jorgensen
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Sayeh Bayat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Geomatics Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - David B. Carr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Beau M. Ances
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University School of Medicine, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Ganesh M. Babulal
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Washington University School of Medicine, Institute for Public Health, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, WA, United States
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10
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Modulation of Asymmetry in Auditory Perception through a Bilateral Auditory Intervention. Symmetry (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/sym14122490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this work was to analyze the modulating effect of an auditory intervention (AI) on the threshold and symmetry of auditory perception in people with different emotional states. The effects of AI were compared 3 months after using threshold audiometry (air conduction). The studied groups were emotional well-being (EWB) (n = 50, 14 with AI, 36 without AI); anxiety (ANX) (n = 31, 10 with AI, 21 without AI); and mixed group (MIX) (n = 45, 19 with AI, 26 without AI). The EWB group with AI lost the advantage of the left ear due to the hearing gain of the right ear, whereas in EWB without AI, no changes were observed. The ANX group with AI showed a non-significant improvement in both ears, maintaining the left interaural advantage. Interestingly, in the group without AI, the interaural difference was lost. The MIX group did not show interaural differences either with or without AI. However, the AI group showed a lower left ear threshold than that of the right ear, in contrast to the non-AI group. In conclusion, the application of this AI manages to decrease the prioritization of high frequencies, in addition to balance hearing between ears, which could decrease activation in states of anxiety.
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11
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Cheng L, Chiu Y, Lin Y, Li W, Hong T, Yang C, Shih C, Yeh T, Tseng WI, Yu H, Hsieh J, Chen L. Long-term musical training induces white matter plasticity in emotion and language networks. Hum Brain Mapp 2022; 44:5-17. [PMID: 36005832 PMCID: PMC9783470 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.26054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported that long-term musical training can affect brain functionality and induce structural alterations in the brain. Singing is a form of vocal musical expression with an unparalleled capacity for communicating emotion; however, there has been relatively little research on neuroplasticity at the network level in vocalists (i.e., noninstrumental musicians). Our objective in this study was to elucidate changes in the neural network architecture following long-term training in the musical arts. We employed a framework based on graph theory to depict the connectivity and efficiency of structural networks in the brain, based on diffusion-weighted images obtained from 35 vocalists, 27 pianists, and 33 nonmusicians. Our results revealed that musical training (both voice and piano) could enhance connectivity among emotion-related regions of the brain, such as the amygdala. We also discovered that voice training reshaped the architecture of experience-dependent networks, such as those involved in vocal motor control, sensory feedback, and language processing. It appears that vocal-related changes in areas such as the insula, paracentral lobule, supramarginal gyrus, and putamen are associated with functional segregation, multisensory integration, and enhanced network interconnectivity. These results suggest that long-term musical training can strengthen or prune white matter connectivity networks in an experience-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li‐Kai Cheng
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Hsien Chiu
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ying‐Chia Lin
- Center for Advanced Imaging Innovation and Research (CAIR)NYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of RadiologyNYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Wei‐Chi Li
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Tzu‐Yi Hong
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ching‐Ju Yang
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chung‐Heng Shih
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Tzu‐Chen Yeh
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Department of RadiologyTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Wen‐Yih Isaac Tseng
- Institute of Medical Device and ImagingNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hsin‐Yen Yu
- Graduate Institute of Arts and Humanities EducationTaipei National University of the ArtsTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Jen‐Chuen Hsieh
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan,Brain Research CenterNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and TechnologyNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityHsinchuTaiwan
| | - Li‐Fen Chen
- Institute of Brain ScienceNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Integrated Brain Research Unit, Department of Medical ResearchTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan,Brain Research CenterNational Yang Ming Chiao Tung UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
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12
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Guida P, Michiels M, Redgrave P, Luque D, Obeso I. An fMRI meta-analysis of the role of the striatum in everyday-life vs laboratory-developed habits. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104826. [PMID: 35963543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The dorsolateral striatum plays a critical role in the acquisition and expression of stimulus-response habits that are learned in experimental laboratories. Here, we use meta-analytic procedures to contrast the neural circuits activated by laboratory-acquired habits with those activated by stimulus-response behaviours acquired in everyday-life. We confirmed that newly learned habits rely more on the anterior putamen with activation extending into caudate and nucleus accumbens. Motor and associative components of everyday-life habits were identified. We found that motor-dominant stimulus-response associations developed outside the laboratory primarily engaged posterior dorsal putamen, supplementary motor area (SMA) and cerebellum. Importantly, associative components were also represented in the posterior putamen. Thus, common neural representations for both naturalistic and laboratory-based habits were found in the left posterior and right anterior putamen. These findings suggest a partial common striatal substrate for habitual actions that are performed predominantly by stimulus-response associations represented in the posterior striatum. The overlapping neural substrates for laboratory and everyday-life habits supports the use of both methods for the analysis of habitual behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasqualina Guida
- HM CINAC, Centro Integral de Neurociencias AC. Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Cajal Institute, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Mario Michiels
- HM CINAC, Centro Integral de Neurociencias AC. Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Cajal Institute, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Peter Redgrave
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - David Luque
- Departamento de Psicología Básica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Departamento de Psicología Básica, Universidad de Málaga, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Obeso
- HM CINAC, Centro Integral de Neurociencias AC. Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Psychobiology department, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Criscuolo A, Pando-Naude V, Bonetti L, Vuust P, Brattico E. An ALE meta-analytic review of musical expertise. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11726. [PMID: 35821035 PMCID: PMC9276732 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14959-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Through long-term training, music experts acquire complex and specialized sensorimotor skills, which are paralleled by continuous neuro-anatomical and -functional adaptations. The underlying neuroplasticity mechanisms have been extensively explored in decades of research in music, cognitive, and translational neuroscience. However, the absence of a comprehensive review and quantitative meta-analysis prevents the plethora of variegated findings to ultimately converge into a unified picture of the neuroanatomy of musical expertise. Here, we performed a comprehensive neuroimaging meta-analysis of publications investigating neuro-anatomical and -functional differences between musicians (M) and non-musicians (NM). Eighty-four studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. From these, 58 publications were included in coordinate-based meta-analyses using the anatomic/activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method. This comprehensive approach delivers a coherent cortico-subcortical network encompassing sensorimotor and limbic regions bilaterally. Particularly, M exhibited higher volume/activity in auditory, sensorimotor, interoceptive, and limbic brain areas and lower volume/activity in parietal areas as opposed to NM. Notably, we reveal topographical (dis-)similarities between the identified functional and anatomical networks and characterize their link to various cognitive functions by means of meta-analytic connectivity modelling. Overall, we effectively synthesized decades of research in the field and provide a consistent and controversies-free picture of the neuroanatomy of musical expertise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Criscuolo
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Victor Pando-Naude
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus C, Denmark.
| | - Leonardo Bonetti
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Center for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Peter Vuust
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Elvira Brattico
- Center for Music in the Brain (MIB), Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University & The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Aarhus C, Denmark
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14
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Zendel BR. The importance of the motor system in the development of music-based forms of auditory rehabilitation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1515:10-19. [PMID: 35648040 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hearing abilities decline with age, and one of the most commonly reported hearing issues in older adults is a difficulty understanding speech when there is loud background noise. Understanding speech in noise relies on numerous cognitive processes, including working memory, and is supported by numerous brain regions, including the motor and motor planning systems. Indeed, many working memory processes are supported by motor and premotor cortical regions. Interestingly, lifelong musicians and nonmusicians given music training over the course of weeks or months show an improved ability to understand speech when there is loud background noise. These benefits are associated with enhanced working memory abilities, and enhanced activity in motor and premotor cortical regions. Accordingly, it is likely that music training improves the coupling between the auditory and motor systems and promotes plasticity in these regions and regions that feed into auditory/motor areas. This leads to an enhanced ability to dynamically process incoming acoustic information, and is likely the reason that musicians and those who receive laboratory-based music training are better able to understand speech when there is background noise. Critically, these findings suggest that music-based forms of auditory rehabilitation are possible and should focus on tasks that promote auditory-motor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Rich Zendel
- Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.,Aging Research Centre - Newfoundland and Labrador, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
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15
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Yeom D, Tan YT, Haslam N, Mosing MA, Yap VM, Fraser T, Hildebrand MS, Berkovic SF, McPherson GE, Peretz I, Wilson SJ. Genetic factors and shared environment contribute equally to objective singing ability. iScience 2022; 25:104360. [PMID: 35633942 PMCID: PMC9136123 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Singing ability is a complex human skill influenced by genetic and environmental factors, the relative contributions of which remain unknown. Currently, genetically informative studies using objective measures of singing ability across a range of tasks are limited. We administered a validated online singing tool to measure performance across three everyday singing tasks in Australian twins (n = 1189) to explore the relative genetic and environmental influences on singing ability. We derived a reproducible phenotypic index for singing ability across five performance measures of pitch and interval accuracy. Using this index we found moderate heritability of singing ability (h2 = 40.7%) with a striking, similar contribution from shared environmental factors (c2 = 37.1%). Childhood singing in the family home and being surrounded by music early in life both significantly predicted the phenotypic index. Taken together, these findings show that singing ability is equally influenced by genetic and shared environmental factors. We measured singing ability in a large sample of Australian twins Singing ability is moderately heritable Shared environmental factors are equally important Of these, early but not current musical environments shaped singing ability
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Yeom
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Corresponding author
| | - Yi Ting Tan
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Southbank, VIC 3006, Australia
| | - Nick Haslam
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Miriam A. Mosing
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valerie M.Z. Yap
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Trisnasari Fraser
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Southbank, VIC 3006, Australia
| | - Michael S. Hildebrand
- Department of Medicine, Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Sam F. Berkovic
- Department of Medicine, Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Gary E. McPherson
- Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne, Southbank, VIC 3006, Australia
| | - Isabelle Peretz
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- International Laboratory for Brain, Music and Sound Research and Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC H2V 2S9, Canada
| | - Sarah J. Wilson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Epilepsy Research Centre, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
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16
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Rus-Oswald OG, Benner J, Reinhardt J, Bürki C, Christiner M, Hofmann E, Schneider P, Stippich C, Kressig RW, Blatow M. Musicianship-Related Structural and Functional Cortical Features Are Preserved in Elderly Musicians. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:807971. [PMID: 35401149 PMCID: PMC8990841 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.807971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Professional musicians are a model population for exploring basic auditory function, sensorimotor and multisensory integration, and training-induced neuroplasticity. The brain of musicians exhibits distinct structural and functional cortical features; however, little is known about how these features evolve during aging. This multiparametric study aimed to examine the functional and structural neural correlates of lifelong musical practice in elderly professional musicians. Methods Sixteen young musicians, 16 elderly musicians (age >70), and 15 elderly non-musicians participated in the study. We assessed gray matter metrics at the whole-brain and region of interest (ROI) levels using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the Freesurfer automatic segmentation and reconstruction pipeline. We used BrainVoyager semiautomated segmentation to explore individual auditory cortex morphotypes. Furthermore, we evaluated functional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) activations in auditory and non-auditory regions by functional MRI (fMRI) with an attentive tone-listening task. Finally, we performed discriminant function analyses based on structural and functional ROIs. Results A general reduction of gray matter metrics distinguished the elderly from the young subjects at the whole-brain level, corresponding to widespread natural brain atrophy. Age- and musicianship-dependent structural correlations revealed group-specific differences in several clusters including superior, middle, and inferior frontal as well as perirolandic areas. In addition, the elderly musicians exhibited increased gyrification of auditory cortex like the young musicians. During fMRI, the elderly non-musicians activated predominantly auditory regions, whereas the elderly musicians co-activated a much broader network of auditory association areas, primary and secondary motor areas, and prefrontal and parietal regions like, albeit weaker, the young musicians. Also, group-specific age- and musicianship-dependent functional correlations were observed in the frontal and parietal regions. Moreover, discriminant function analysis could separate groups with high accuracy based on a set of specific structural and functional, mainly temporal and occipital, ROIs. Conclusion In conclusion, despite naturally occurring senescence, the elderly musicians maintained musicianship-specific structural and functional cortical features. The identified structural and functional brain regions, discriminating elderly musicians from non-musicians, might be of relevance for the aging musicians’ brain. To what extent lifelong musical activity may have a neuroprotective impact needs to be addressed further in larger longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oana G. Rus-Oswald
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER, Basel, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Oana G. Rus-Oswald,
| | - Jan Benner
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Jan Benner,
| | - Julia Reinhardt
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Division of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, University Hospital of Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Céline Bürki
- University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Christiner
- Centre for Systematic Musicology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Vitols Jazeps Latvian Academy of Music, Riga, Latvia
| | - Elke Hofmann
- Academy of Music, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Peter Schneider
- Department of Neuroradiology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Centre for Systematic Musicology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Vitols Jazeps Latvian Academy of Music, Riga, Latvia
| | - Christoph Stippich
- Department of Neuroradiology and Radiology, Kliniken Schmieder, Allensbach, Germany
| | - Reto W. Kressig
- University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Blatow
- Section of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Neurocenter, Cantonal Hospital Lucerne, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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17
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Worschech F, Altenmüller E, Jünemann K, Sinke C, Krüger THC, Scholz DS, Müller CAH, Kliegel M, James CE, Marie D. Evidence of cortical thickness increases in bilateral auditory brain structures following piano learning in older adults. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2022; 1513:21-30. [PMID: 35292982 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Morphological differences in the auditory brain of musicians compared to nonmusicians are often associated with life-long musical activity. Cross-sectional studies, however, do not allow for any causal inferences, and most experimental studies testing music-driven adaptations investigated children. Although the importance of the age at which musical training begins is widely recognized to impact neuroplasticity, there have been few longitudinal studies examining music-related changes in the brains of older adults. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we measured cortical thickness (CT) of 12 auditory-related regions of interest before and after 6 months of musical instruction in 134 healthy, right-handed, normal-hearing, musically-naive older adults (64-76 years old). Prior to the study, all participants were randomly assigned to either piano training or to a musical culture/music listening group. In five regions-left Heschl's gyrus, left planum polare, bilateral superior temporal sulcus, and right Heschl's sulcus-we found an increase in CT in the piano training group compared with the musical culture group. Furthermore, CT of the right Heschl's gyrus could be identified as a morphological substrate supporting speech in noise perception. The results support the conclusion that playing an instrument is an effective stimulator for cortical plasticity, even in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Worschech
- Institute for Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eckart Altenmüller
- Institute for Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Kristin Jünemann
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany.,Division of Clinical Psychology & Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Division of Clinical Psychology & Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Krüger
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany.,Division of Clinical Psychology & Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Daniel S Scholz
- Institute for Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Hanover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Cécile A H Müller
- Geneva Musical Minds Lab, Geneva School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland HES-SO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Kliegel
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Clara E James
- Geneva Musical Minds Lab, Geneva School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland HES-SO, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Damien Marie
- Geneva Musical Minds Lab, Geneva School of Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland HES-SO, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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18
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Groß C, Serrallach BL, Möhler E, Pousson JE, Schneider P, Christiner M, Bernhofs V. Musical Performance in Adolescents with ADHD, ADD and Dyslexia—Behavioral and Neurophysiological Aspects. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020127. [PMID: 35203891 PMCID: PMC8870592 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Research has shown that dyslexia and attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (AD(H)D) are characterized by specific neuroanatomical and neurofunctional differences in the auditory cortex. These neurofunctional characteristics in children with ADHD, ADD and dyslexia are linked to distinct differences in music perception. Group-specific differences in the musical performance of patients with ADHD, ADD and dyslexia have not been investigated in detail so far. We investigated the musical performance and neurophysiological correlates of 21 adolescents with dyslexia, 19 with ADHD, 28 with ADD and 28 age-matched, unaffected controls using a music performance assessment scale and magnetoencephalography (MEG). Musical experts independently assessed pitch and rhythmic accuracy, intonation, improvisation skills and musical expression. Compared to dyslexic adolescents, controls as well as adolescents with ADHD and ADD performed better in rhythmic reproduction, rhythmic improvisation and musical expression. Controls were significantly better in rhythmic reproduction than adolescents with ADD and scored higher in rhythmic and pitch improvisation than adolescents with ADHD. Adolescents with ADD and controls scored better in pitch reproduction than dyslexic adolescents. In pitch improvisation, the ADD group performed better than the ADHD group, and controls scored better than dyslexic adolescents. Discriminant analysis revealed that rhythmic improvisation and musical expression discriminate the dyslexic group from controls and adolescents with ADHD and ADD. A second discriminant analysis based on MEG variables showed that absolute P1 latency asynchrony |R-L| distinguishes the control group from the disorder groups best, while P1 and N1 latencies averaged across hemispheres separate the control, ADD and ADHD groups from the dyslexic group. Furthermore, rhythmic improvisation was negatively correlated with auditory-evoked P1 and N1 latencies, pointing in the following direction: the earlier the P1 and N1 latencies (mean), the better the rhythmic improvisation. These findings provide novel insight into the differences between music processing and performance in adolescents with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. A better understanding of these differences may help to develop tailored preventions or therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Groß
- Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, K. Barona Street 1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia; (C.G.); (J.E.P.); (P.S.); (V.B.)
- Department of Neuroradiology and Section of Biomagnetism, University of Heidelberg Medical School, University of Heidelberg, INF 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Bettina L. Serrallach
- Department of Neuroradiology and Section of Biomagnetism, University of Heidelberg Medical School, University of Heidelberg, INF 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
| | - Eva Möhler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, G-66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Jachin E. Pousson
- Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, K. Barona Street 1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia; (C.G.); (J.E.P.); (P.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Peter Schneider
- Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, K. Barona Street 1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia; (C.G.); (J.E.P.); (P.S.); (V.B.)
- Department of Neuroradiology and Section of Biomagnetism, University of Heidelberg Medical School, University of Heidelberg, INF 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Centre for Systematic Musicology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Graz, Glacisstraße 27, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Markus Christiner
- Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, K. Barona Street 1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia; (C.G.); (J.E.P.); (P.S.); (V.B.)
- Centre for Systematic Musicology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Graz, Glacisstraße 27, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence:
| | - Valdis Bernhofs
- Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, K. Barona Street 1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia; (C.G.); (J.E.P.); (P.S.); (V.B.)
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19
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Yamashita M, Ohsawa C, Suzuki M, Guo X, Sadakata M, Otsuka Y, Asano K, Abe N, Sekiyama K. Neural Advantages of Older Musicians Involve the Cerebellum: Implications for Healthy Aging Through Lifelong Musical Instrument Training. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 15:784026. [PMID: 35069154 PMCID: PMC8766763 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.784026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared 30 older musicians and 30 age-matched non-musicians to investigate the association between lifelong musical instrument training and age-related cognitive decline and brain atrophy (musicians: mean age 70.8 years, musical experience 52.7 years; non-musicians: mean age 71.4 years, no or less than 3 years of musical experience). Although previous research has demonstrated that young musicians have larger gray matter volume (GMV) in the auditory-motor cortices and cerebellum than non-musicians, little is known about older musicians. Music imagery in young musicians is also known to share a neural underpinning [the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and cerebellum] with music performance. Thus, we hypothesized that older musicians would show superiority to non-musicians in some of the abovementioned brain regions. Behavioral performance, GMV, and brain activity, including functional connectivity (FC) during melodic working memory (MWM) tasks, were evaluated in both groups. Behaviorally, musicians exhibited a much higher tapping speed than non-musicians, and tapping speed was correlated with executive function in musicians. Structural analyses revealed larger GMVs in both sides of the cerebellum of musicians, and importantly, this was maintained until very old age. Task-related FC analyses revealed that musicians possessed greater cerebellar-hippocampal FC, which was correlated with tapping speed. Furthermore, musicians showed higher activation in the SMG during MWM tasks; this was correlated with earlier commencement of instrumental training. These results indicate advantages or heightened coupling in brain regions associated with music performance and imagery in musicians. We suggest that lifelong instrumental training highly predicts the structural maintenance of the cerebellum and related cognitive maintenance in old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Yamashita
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Chie Ohsawa
- School of Music, Mukogawa Women’s University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Maki Suzuki
- Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka, Japan
| | - Xia Guo
- Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makiko Sadakata
- Institute for Logic, Language and Computation, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yuki Otsuka
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kohei Asano
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Faculty of Child Care and Education, Osaka University of Comprehensive Children Education, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Abe
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sekiyama
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- *Correspondence: Kaoru Sekiyama,
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20
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Sihvonen AJ, Särkämö T. Music processing and amusia. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2022; 187:55-67. [PMID: 35964992 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-823493-8.00014-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Music is a universal and important human trait, which is orchestrated by complex brain network centered in the temporal lobe but connecting broadly to multiple cortical and subcortical regions. In the human brain, music engages a widespread bilateral network of regions that govern auditory perception, syntactic and semantic processing, attention and memory, emotion and reward, and motor skills. The ability to perceive or produce music can be severely impaired either due to abnormal brain development or brain damage, leading to a condition called amusia. Modern neuroimaging studies of amusia have provided valuable knowledge about the structure and function of specific brain regions and white matter pathways that are crucial for music perception, highlighting the role of the right frontotemporal network in this process. In this chapter, we provide an overview on the neural basis of music processing in a healthy brain and review evidence obtained from the studies of congenital and acquired amusia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi J Sihvonen
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Queensland Aphasia Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia; Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Teppo Särkämö
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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21
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Music and the Cerebellum. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1378:195-212. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-99550-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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22
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Prakash P, Nath AM, Joy M, Prabhu P. Evaluation of auditory working memory in Bharatanatyam dancers. J Otol 2022; 17:95-100. [PMID: 35949551 PMCID: PMC9349002 DOI: 10.1016/j.joto.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuroplasticity is a phenomenon exhibited by our nervous system as an indicator of overall development and in response to training, injury/loss of particular function, treatment/drugs and as a result of stimulation from the surrounding environment. Objective The aim of the current study was to assess the auditory working memory capacities in Bharatanatyam dancers. Method The participants comprised fifty-four females with normal hearing sensitivity who belonged to two groups. Group-I consisted of 27 individuals who underwent formal training in Bharatanatyam for a minimum period of three years. Group-II consisted of the age-matched control group, consisting of 27 individuals who were non-dancers. The auditory working memory tasks included arranging the English digits presented binaurally in forward, backward, ascending, and descending spans. The maximum values (for the length of sequence arranged), midpoint values (average score), and response time for each task were noted down and compared among groups. Results The scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test, which revealed enhanced working memory exhibited by dancers for maximum values and midpoint scores for all three tasks except ascending span. It was also noted that the dancers exhibited a shorter response time compared to non-dancers for all the tasks except ascending span. Conclusion The current study highlights an enhanced auditory working memory capacity in Bharatanatyam dancers, which could be perceived as evidence of neuroplastic changes induced in the auditory and motor cortex as a consequence of extensive stimulation for auditory processing abilities and motor planning resulting from long-term dance training and regular practice.
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Bianco V, Berchicci M, Gigante E, Perri RL, Quinzi F, Mussini E, Di Russo F. Brain Plasticity Induced by Musical Expertise on Proactive and Reactive Cognitive Functions. Neuroscience 2021; 483:1-12. [PMID: 34973386 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Proactive and reactive brain activities usually refer to processes occurring in anticipation or in response to perceptual and/or cognitive events. Previous studies found that, in auditory tasks, musical expertise improves performance mainly at the reactive stage of processing. In the present work, we aimed at acknowledging the effects of musical practice on proactive brain activities as a result of neuroplasticity processes occurring at the level of anticipatory motor/cognitive functions. Accordingly, performance and electroencephalographic recordings were compared between professional musicians and non-musicians during an auditory go/no-go task. Both proactive (pre-stimulus) and reactive (post-stimulus) event-related potentials (ERPs) were analyzed. Behavioral findings showed improved performance in musicians compared to non-musicians in terms of accuracy. For what concerns electrophysiological results, different ERP patterns of activity both before and after the presentation of the auditory stimulus emerged between groups. Specifically, musicians showed increased proactive cognitive activity in prefrontal scalp areas, previously localized in the prefrontal cortex, and reduced anticipatory excitability in frontal scalp areas, previously localized in the associative auditory cortices (reflected by the pN and aP components, respectively). In the reactive stage of processing (i.e., following stimulus presentation), musicians showed enhanced early (N1) and late (P3) components, in line with longstanding literature of enhanced auditory processing in this group. Crucially, we also found a significant correlation between the N1 component and years of musical practice. We interpreted these findings in terms of neural plasticity processes resulting from musical training, which lead musicians to high efficiency in auditory sensorial anticipation and more intense cognitive control and sound analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bianco
- Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy; Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience, Dept. of Languages and Literatures, Communication, Education and Society, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - Marika Berchicci
- Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Gigante
- International Association for Analytical Psychology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Federico Quinzi
- Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Mussini
- Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Di Russo
- Dept. of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy; Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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24
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Shenker JJ, Steele CJ, Chakravarty MM, Zatorre RJ, Penhune VB. Early musical training shapes cortico-cerebellar structural covariation. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 227:407-419. [PMID: 34657166 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Adult abilities in complex cognitive domains such as music appear to depend critically on the age at which training or experience begins, and relevant experience has greater long-term effects during periods of peak maturational change. Previous work has shown that early trained musicians (ET; < age 7) out-perform later-trained musicians (LT; > age 7) on tests of musical skill, and also have larger volumes of the ventral premotor cortex (vPMC) and smaller volumes of the cerebellum. These cortico-cerebellar networks mature and function in relation to one another, suggesting that early training may promote coordinated developmental plasticity. To test this hypothesis, we examined structural covariation between cerebellar volume and cortical thickness (CT) in sensorimotor regions in ET and LT musicians and non-musicians (NMs). Results show that ETs have smaller volumes in cerebellar lobules connected to sensorimotor cortices, while both musician groups had greater cortical thickness in right pre-supplementary motor area (SMA) and right PMC compared to NMs. Importantly, early musical training had a specific effect on structural covariance between the cerebellum and cortex: NMs showed negative correlations between left lobule VI and right pre-SMA and PMC, but this relationship was reduced in ET musicians. ETs instead showed a significant negative correlation between vermal IV and right pre-SMA and dPMC. Together, these results suggest that early musical training has differential impacts on the maturation of cortico-cerebellar networks important for optimizing sensorimotor performance. This conclusion is consistent with the hypothesis that connected brain regions interact during development to reciprocally influence brain and behavioral maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Shenker
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Christopher J Steele
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Robert J Zatorre
- BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Virginia B Penhune
- Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,BRAMS: International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
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25
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Nisha KV, Neelamegarajan D, Nayagam NN, Winston JS, Anil SP. Musical Aptitude as a Variable in the Assessment of Working Memory and Selective Attention Tasks. J Audiol Otol 2021; 25:178-188. [PMID: 34649418 PMCID: PMC8524116 DOI: 10.7874/jao.2021.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives The influence of musical aptitude on cognitive test performance in musicians is a long-debated research question. Evidence points to the low performance of nonmusicians in visual and auditory cognitive tasks (working memory and attention) compared with musicians. This cannot be generalized to all nonmusicians, as a sub-group in this population can have innate musical abilities even without any formal musical training. The present study aimed to study the effect of musical aptitude on the working memory and selective attention. Subjects and Methods Three groups of 20 individuals each (a total of 60 participants), including trained-musicians, nonmusicians with good musical aptitude, and nonmusicians with low musical aptitude, participated in the present study. Cognitive-based visual (Flanker’s selective attention test) and auditory (working memory tests: backward digit span and operation span) tests were administered. Results MANOVA (followed by ANOVA) revealed a benefit of musicianship and musical aptitude on backward digit span and Flanker’s reaction time (p<0.05). Discriminant function analyses showed that the groups could be effectively (accuracy, 80%) segregated based on the backward digit span and Flanker’s selective attention test. Trained musicians and nonmusicians with good musical aptitude were distinguished as one cluster and nonmusicians with low musical aptitude formed another cluster, hinting the role of musical aptitude in working memory and selective attention. Conclusions Nonmusicians with good musical aptitude can have enhanced working memory and selective attention skills like musicians. Hence, caution is required when these individuals are included as controls in cognitive-based visual and auditory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavassery Venkateswaran Nisha
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India
| | - Devi Neelamegarajan
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India
| | - Nishant N Nayagam
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India
| | - Jim Saroj Winston
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India
| | - Sam Publius Anil
- Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Naimisham Campus, Manasagangothri, Mysore, India
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26
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Expertise- and Tempo-Related Performance Differences in Unimanual Drumming. Motor Control 2021; 25:644-679. [PMID: 34544901 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2020-0029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-speed drumming requires precise control over the timing, velocity, and magnitude of striking movements. AIM To examine effects of tempo and expertise on unaccented repetitive drumming performance using 3D motion capture. METHODS Expert and amateur drummers performed unimanual, unaccented, repetitive drum strikes, using their dominant right hand, at five different tempi. Performance was examined with regard to timing variability, striking velocity variability, the ability to match the prescribed tempo, and additional variables. RESULTS Permutated multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) revealed significant main effects of tempo (p < .001) and expertise (p <.001) on timing variability and striking velocity variability; low timing variability and low striking velocity variability were associated with low/medium tempo as well as with increased expertise. Individually, improved precision appeared across an optimum tempo range. Precision was poorest at maximum tempo (400 hits per minute) for precision variables. CONCLUSIONS Expert drummers demonstrated greater precision and consistency than amateurs. Findings indicate an optimum tempo range that extends with increased expertise.
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27
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Schwizer Ashkenazi S, Raiter-Avni R, Vakil E. The benefit of assessing implicit sequence learning in pianists with an eye-tracked serial reaction time task. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2021; 86:1426-1441. [PMID: 34468856 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-021-01586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Playing piano professionally has been shown to benefit implicit motor sequence learning. The aim of the current study was to determine whether this advantage reflects generally enhanced implicit sequence learning unrelated to pianists' higher motor and/or visual-motor coordination abilities. We examined implicit sequence learning using the ocular serial reaction time (O-SRT) task, a manual-free eye-tracked version of the standard SRT, in 29 pianists and 31 controls. Reaction times (RT) and correct anticipations (CA) of several phases describing implicit sequence learning were analyzed. Furthermore, explicit sequence knowledge was compared between the groups, and relationships between implicit sequence learning with explicit sequence knowledge or demographic measures were evaluated. Pianists demonstrated superiority in all critical phases of implicit sequence learning (RT and CA). Moreover, pianists acquired higher explicit sequence knowledge, and only in pianists was explicit sequence knowledge related to implicit sequence learning. Our results demonstrate that pianists' superiority in implicit sequence learning is due to a higher general implicit sequence learning ability. Hence, we can exclude that higher motor and/or visual-motor coordination abilities are related to pianists' higher implicit sequence learning. Furthermore, the significant relationship of implicit sequence learning and explicit sequence knowledge suggests that pianists either used explicit strategies to support implicit sequence learning, had better explicit access to sequence knowledge, or both.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schwizer Ashkenazi
- Department of Psychology and Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
| | - Rivka Raiter-Avni
- Department of Psychology and Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eli Vakil
- Department of Psychology and Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, 5290002, Ramat-Gan, Israel
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28
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Abstract
Adult ability in complex cognitive domains, including music, is commonly thought of as the product of gene-environment interactions, where genetic predispositions influence and are modulated by experience, resulting in the final phenotypic expression. Recently, however, the important contribution of maturation to gene-environment interactions has become better understood. Thus, the timing of exposure to specific experience, such as music training, has been shown to produce long-term impacts on adult behaviour and the brain. Work from our lab and others shows that musical training before the ages of 7-9 enhances performance on musical tasks and modifies brain structure and function, sometimes in unexpected ways. The goal of this paper is to present current evidence for sensitive period effects for musical training in the context of what is known about brain maturation and to present a framework that integrates genetic, environmental and maturational influences on the development of musical skill. We believe that this framework can also be applied more broadly to understanding how predispositions, brain development and experience interact.
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29
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Homma NY, Bajo VM. Lemniscal Corticothalamic Feedback in Auditory Scene Analysis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:723893. [PMID: 34489635 PMCID: PMC8417129 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.723893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Sound information is transmitted from the ear to central auditory stations of the brain via several nuclei. In addition to these ascending pathways there exist descending projections that can influence the information processing at each of these nuclei. A major descending pathway in the auditory system is the feedback projection from layer VI of the primary auditory cortex (A1) to the ventral division of medial geniculate body (MGBv) in the thalamus. The corticothalamic axons have small glutamatergic terminals that can modulate thalamic processing and thalamocortical information transmission. Corticothalamic neurons also provide input to GABAergic neurons of the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) that receives collaterals from the ascending thalamic axons. The balance of corticothalamic and TRN inputs has been shown to refine frequency tuning, firing patterns, and gating of MGBv neurons. Therefore, the thalamus is not merely a relay stage in the chain of auditory nuclei but does participate in complex aspects of sound processing that include top-down modulations. In this review, we aim (i) to examine how lemniscal corticothalamic feedback modulates responses in MGBv neurons, and (ii) to explore how the feedback contributes to auditory scene analysis, particularly on frequency and harmonic perception. Finally, we will discuss potential implications of the role of corticothalamic feedback in music and speech perception, where precise spectral and temporal processing is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natsumi Y. Homma
- Center for Integrative Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Coleman Memorial Laboratory, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Victoria M. Bajo
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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30
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Neural Plasticity in a French Horn Player with Bilateral Amelia. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:4570135. [PMID: 34373687 PMCID: PMC8349270 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4570135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Precise control of movement and timing play a key role in musical performance. This motor skill requires coordination across multiple joints, muscles, and limbs, which is acquired through extensive musical training from childhood on. Thus, making music can be a strong driver for neuroplasticity. We here present the rare case of a professional french horn player with a congenital bilateral amelia of the upper limbs. We were able to show a unique cerebral and cerebellar somatotopic representation of his toe and feet, that do not follow the characteristic patterns of contralateral cortical and ipsilateral cerebellar layout. Although being a professional horn player who trained his embouchure muscles, including tongue, pharyngeal, and facial muscle usage excessively, there were no obvious signs for an expanded somatosensory representation in this part of the classic homunculus. Compared to the literature and in contrast to control subjects, the musicians' foot movement-related activations occurred in cerebellar areas that are typically more related to hand than to foot activation.
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31
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van Vugt FT, Hartmann K, Altenmüller E, Mohammadi B, Margulies DS. The impact of early musical training on striatal functional connectivity. Neuroimage 2021; 238:118251. [PMID: 34116147 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2021.118251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from language, visual and sensorimotor learning suggests that training early in life is more effective. The present work explores the hypothesis that learning during sensitive periods involves distinct brain networks in addition to those involved when learning later in life. Expert pianists were tested who started their musical training early (<7 years of age; n = 21) or late (n = 15), but were matched for total lifetime practice. Motor timing expertise was assessed using a musical scale playing task. Brain activity at rest was measured using fMRI and compared with a control group of nonmusicians (n = 17). Functional connectivity from seeds in the striatum revealed a striatal-cortical-sensorimotor network that was observed only in the early-onset group. In this network, higher connectivity correlated with greater motor timing expertise, which resulted from early/late group differences in motor timing expertise. By contrast, networks that differentiated musicians and nonmusicians, namely a striatal-occipital-frontal-cerebellar network in which connectivity was higher in musicians, tended to not show differences between early and late musicians and not be correlated with motor timing expertise. These results parcel musical sensorimotor neuroplasticity into a set of musicianship-related networks and a distinct set of predominantly early-onset networks. The findings lend support to the possibility that we can learn skills more easily early in development because during sensitive periods we recruit distinct brain networks that are no longer implicated in learning later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- F T van Vugt
- Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Emmichplatz 1, 30175 Hannover, Germany; Psychology Department, International Laboratory for Brain, Music, and Sound Research, University of Montreal, Canada; Psychology Department, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
| | - K Hartmann
- Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Emmichplatz 1, 30175 Hannover, Germany; Universitätsklinik für Neurochirurgie, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - E Altenmüller
- Institute of Music Physiology and Musicians' Medicine, Emmichplatz 1, 30175 Hannover, Germany
| | - B Mohammadi
- CNS-LAB, International Neuroscience Institute (INI), Rudolf-Pichlmayr-Str., 4, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - D S Margulies
- CNRS UMR 8002, Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center, University of Paris, Paris, France
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32
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Choi US, Sung YW, Ogawa S. Brain Plasticity Reflects Specialized Cognitive Development Induced by Musical Training. Cereb Cortex Commun 2021; 2:tgab037. [PMID: 34296181 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgab037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning a musical instrument requires a long period of training and might induce structural and functional changes in the brain. Previous studies have shown brain plasticity resulting from training with a musical instrument. However, these studies did not distinguish the effects on brain plasticity of specific musical instruments as they examined the brain of musicians who had learned a single musical instrument/genre and did not control for confounding factors, such as common or interactive effects involved in music training. To address this research gap, the present work investigated musicians who had experience with both a piano and a wind instrument, for example, flute, trumpet, clarinet etc. By examining the difference between the 2 musical instruments in the same subject, we avoided the effects common to all musical instruments and the confounding factors. Therefore, we identified several high-tier brain areas displaying a brain plasticity specific to each musical instrument. Our findings show that learning a musical instrument might result in the development of high cognitive functions reflecting the skills/abilities unique to the instrument played.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uk-Su Choi
- Gwangju Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (GARD) Cohort Research Center, Chosun University, Gwangju 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Yul-Wan Sung
- Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Miyagi 9893201, Japan
| | - Seiji Ogawa
- Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Miyagi 9893201, Japan
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33
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Gasenzer ER, Kanat A, Nakamura M. The Influence of Music on Neurosurgical Cases: A Neglected Knowledge. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 82:544-551. [PMID: 33845506 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1721017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human brain can respond to and participate in music. Learning to play a musical instrument requires complex multimodal skills involving the simultaneous perception of several sensory modalities. In case of brain damage, the musician and nonmusician brains may have different capacities for reorganization and neural remapping. We aimed to investigate the effect of music on patients who had a brain tumor and/or underwent a neurosurgical procedure, comparing the recovery of those who had a musical background with those who did not. METHODS A literature review was performed to search for any evidence on this issue. We divided the cases into two groups: as group I consisted of the nonmusician patients, while group II consisted of musicians with a neurosurgical disease. Studies were rated from 0 (no effect) to 4 (high effect). RESULTS We found seven published studies as well as case reports. It was observed that the outcomes and quality of life of the musician group were better than those of the control groups or nonmusician patients in all of the investigated studies, but no statistical difference between musicians and nonmusicians was found. CONCLUSION Music-related structural changes in the brain may occur in musicians. However with limited number of cases, it cannot be assorted the improved recovery in musicians after neurosurgical disease or procedures by his or her enhanced plasticity. There are limited number of cases, for that reason, it cannot be assorted the improved recovery in musicians after neurosurgical disease or procedures by his or her enhanced plasticity. Professional musicians, who are making a living through their musical abilities, may also have a strong motivation to undergo stressful and enduring rehabilitation. An early restart of the musical activity in musicians with neurosurgical disease may lead to better outcomes, better quality of life, and better psychological parameters, in a shorter time than in nonmusicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Romana Gasenzer
- Department for Physician Assistance, Carl-Remigius Medical School, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ayhan Kanat
- Department of Neurosurgery, Recep Tayyip Erdogan Universitesi, Rize, Turkey
| | - Makoto Nakamura
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Witten, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
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34
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Perron M, Theaud G, Descoteaux M, Tremblay P. The frontotemporal organization of the arcuate fasciculus and its relationship with speech perception in young and older amateur singers and non-singers. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3058-3076. [PMID: 33835629 PMCID: PMC8193549 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to perceive speech in noise (SPiN) declines with age. Although the etiology of SPiN decline is not well understood, accumulating evidence suggests a role for the dorsal speech stream. While age‐related decline within the dorsal speech stream would negatively affect SPiN performance, experience‐induced neuroplastic changes within the dorsal speech stream could positively affect SPiN performance. Here, we investigated the relationship between SPiN performance and the structure of the arcuate fasciculus (AF), which forms the white matter scaffolding of the dorsal speech stream, in aging singers and non‐singers. Forty‐three non‐singers and 41 singers aged 20 to 87 years old completed a hearing evaluation and a magnetic resonance imaging session that included High Angular Resolution Diffusion Imaging. The groups were matched for sex, age, education, handedness, cognitive level, and musical instrument experience. A subgroup of participants completed syllable discrimination in the noise task. The AF was divided into 10 segments to explore potential local specializations for SPiN. The results show that, in carefully matched groups of singers and non‐singers (a) myelin and/or axonal membrane deterioration within the bilateral frontotemporal AF segments are associated with SPiN difficulties in aging singers and non‐singers; (b) the structure of the AF is different in singers and non‐singers; (c) these differences are not associated with a benefit on SPiN performance for singers. This study clarifies the etiology of SPiN difficulties by supporting the hypothesis for the role of aging of the dorsal speech stream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Perron
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de Réadaptation, Université Laval, Faculté de Médecine, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Theaud
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pascale Tremblay
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.,Département de Réadaptation, Université Laval, Faculté de Médecine, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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35
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Draganova R, Pfaffenrot V, Steiner KM, Göricke SL, Elangovan N, Timmann D, Konczak J. Neurostructural changes and declining sensorimotor function due to cerebellar cortical degeneration. J Neurophysiol 2021; 125:1735-1745. [PMID: 33760649 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00266.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration of the cerebellum progresses over years and primarily affects cerebellar cortex. It leads to a progressive loss of control and coordination of gait, posture, speech, fine motor, and oculomotor function. Yet, little is known how the cerebro-cerebellar network compensates for the loss in cerebellar cortical neurons. To address this knowledge gap, we examined 30 people with cerebellar cortical degeneration and a group of 30 healthy controls. We assessed visuomotor performance during a forearm-pointing task to 10°, 25°, and 50° targets. In addition, using MRI imaging, we determined neurodegenerative-induced changes in gray matter volume (GMV) in the cerebro-cerebellar network and correlated them to markers of motor performance. The main results are as follows: first, the relative joint position error (RJPE) during pointing was significantly greater in the ataxia group for all targets confirming the expected motor control deficit. Second, in the ataxia group, GMV was significantly reduced in cerebellar cortex but increased in the deep cerebellar nuclei. Motor error (RJPE) correlated negatively with decreased cerebellar GMV but positively with increased GMV in supplementary motor area (SMA) and premotor cortex. GMV of the deep cerebellar nuclei did not correlate significantly with markers of motor performance. We discuss whether the GMV changes in the cerebellar output nuclei and the extracerebellar efferent targets in secondary motor cortex can be understood as a central compensatory response to the neurodegeneration of the cerebellar cortex.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neurodegeneration of the cerebellum progresses over years and primarily affects cerebellar cortex. It leads to a progressive loss of control and coordination of movement. We here show that the neurodegenerative process not only leads to cells loss in cerebellar cortex but also induces neurostructural changes in the form of increased gray matter in the efferent targets of the cerebellar cortex, namely, the cerebellar output nuclei, the SMA, and premotor cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossitza Draganova
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Medical Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Viktor Pfaffenrot
- Erwin L Hahn Institute of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina M Steiner
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Medical Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sophia L Göricke
- Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Essen University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Naveen Elangovan
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Center for Clinical Movement Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Dagmar Timmann
- Department of Neurology, Essen University Medical Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Konczak
- School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Center for Clinical Movement Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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36
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Falikman M. There and Back Again: A (Reversed) Vygotskian Perspective on Digital Socialization. Front Psychol 2021; 12:501233. [PMID: 33716841 PMCID: PMC7943441 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.501233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Falikman
- School of Psychology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute for Social Sciences, RANEPA, Moscow, Russia
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37
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Olszewska AM, Gaca M, Herman AM, Jednoróg K, Marchewka A. How Musical Training Shapes the Adult Brain: Predispositions and Neuroplasticity. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:630829. [PMID: 33776638 PMCID: PMC7987793 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.630829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning to play a musical instrument is a complex task that integrates multiple sensory modalities and higher-order cognitive functions. Therefore, musical training is considered a useful framework for the research on training-induced neuroplasticity. However, the classical nature-or-nurture question remains, whether the differences observed between musicians and non-musicians are due to predispositions or result from the training itself. Here we present a review of recent publications with strong focus on experimental designs to better understand both brain reorganization and the neuronal markers of predispositions when learning to play a musical instrument. Cross-sectional studies identified structural and functional differences between the brains of musicians and non-musicians, especially in regions related to motor control and auditory processing. A few longitudinal studies showed functional changes related to training while listening to and producing music, in the motor network and its connectivity with the auditory system, in line with the outcomes of cross-sectional studies. Parallel changes within the motor system and between the motor and auditory systems were revealed for structural connectivity. In addition, potential predictors of musical learning success were found including increased brain activation in the auditory and motor systems during listening, the microstructure of the arcuate fasciculus, and the functional connectivity between the auditory and the motor systems. We show that “the musical brain” is a product of both the natural human neurodiversity and the training practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicja M Olszewska
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Gaca
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra M Herman
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jednoróg
- Laboratory of Language Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Artur Marchewka
- Laboratory of Brain Imaging, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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38
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Music Playing and Interhemispheric Communication: Older Professional Musicians Outperform Age-Matched Non-Musicians in Fingertip Cross-Localization Test. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2021; 27:282-292. [PMID: 32967757 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617720000946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Numerous investigations have documented that age-related changes in the integrity of the corpus callosum are associated with age-related decline in the interhemispheric transfer of information. Conversely, there is accumulating evidence for more efficient white matter organization of the corpus callosum in individuals with extensive musical training. However, the relationship between making music and accuracy in interhemispheric transfer remains poorly explored. METHODS To test the hypothesis that musicians show enhanced functional connectivity between the two hemispheres, 65 professional musicians (aged 56-90 years) and 65 age- and sex-matched non-musicians performed the fingertip cross-localization test. In this task, subjects must respond to a tactile stimulus presented to one hand using the ipsilateral (intra-hemispheric test) or contralateral (inter-hemispheric test) hand. Because the transfer of information from one hemisphere to another may imply a loss of accuracy, the value of the difference between the intrahemispheric and interhemispheric tests can be utilized as a reliable measure of the effectiveness of hemispheric interactions. RESULTS Older professional musicians show significantly greater accuracy in tactile interhemispheric transfer than non-musicians who suffer from age-related decline. CONCLUSIONS Musicians have more efficient interhemispheric communication than age-matched non-musicians. This finding is in keeping with studies showing that individuals with extensive musical training have a larger corpus callosum. The results are discussed in relation to relevant data suggesting that music positively influences aging brain plasticity.
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39
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Musical Training and Brain Volume in Older Adults. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11010050. [PMID: 33466337 PMCID: PMC7824792 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Musical practice, including musical training and musical performance, has been found to benefit cognitive function in older adults. Less is known about the role of musical experiences on brain structure in older adults. The present study examined the role of different types of musical behaviors on brain structure in older adults. We administered the Goldsmiths Musical Sophistication Index, a questionnaire that includes questions about a variety of musical behaviors, including performance on an instrument, musical practice, allocation of time to music, musical listening expertise, and emotional responses to music. We demonstrated that musical training, defined as the extent of musical training, musical practice, and musicianship, was positively and significantly associated with the volume of the inferior frontal cortex and parahippocampus. In addition, musical training was positively associated with volume of the posterior cingulate cortex, insula, and medial orbitofrontal cortex. Together, the present study suggests that musical behaviors relate to a circuit of brain regions involved in executive function, memory, language, and emotion. As gray matter often declines with age, our study has promising implications for the positive role of musical practice on aging brain health.
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40
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Wesseldijk LW, Mosing MA, Ullén F. Why Is an Early Start of Training Related to Musical Skills in Adulthood? A Genetically Informative Study. Psychol Sci 2021; 32:3-13. [PMID: 33308000 PMCID: PMC7809336 DOI: 10.1177/0956797620959014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Experts in domains such as music or sports often start training early. It has been suggested that this may reflect a sensitive period in childhood for skill acquisition. However, it could be that familial factors (e.g., genetics) contribute to the association. Here, we examined the effect of age of onset of musical training on musical aptitude and achievement in professional musicians (n = 310) and twins (n = 7,786). In line with previous literature, results showed that an earlier age of onset was associated with higher aptitude and achievement in both samples. After we adjusted for lifetime practice hours, age of onset was associated only with aptitude (p < .001; achievement: p > .14). Twin analyses showed that the association with aptitude was fully explained by familial factors. Thus, these findings provide little support for a sensitive period for music but highlight that familiar factors play an important role for associations between age of onset of training and skills in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura W. Wesseldijk
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam
| | - Miriam A. Mosing
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne
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41
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Guo X, Yamashita M, Suzuki M, Ohsawa C, Asano K, Abe N, Soshi T, Sekiyama K. Musical instrument training program improves verbal memory and neural efficiency in novice older adults. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:1359-1375. [PMID: 33617124 PMCID: PMC7927292 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies indicate that musical instrument training may improve the cognitive function of older adults. However, little is known about the neural origins of training‐related improvement in cognitive function. Here, we assessed the effects of instrumental training program on cognitive functions and neural efficiency in musically naïve older adults (61–85 years old). Participants were assigned to either the intervention group, which received a 4‐month instrumental training program using keyboard harmonica, or a control group without any alternative training. Cognitive measurements and functional magnetic resonance imaging during visual working memory (VWM) task were administered before and after the intervention in both groups. Behavioral data revealed that the intervention group significantly improved memory performance on the test that measures verbal recall compared to the control group. Neuroimaging data revealed that brain activation in the right supplementary motor area, left precuneus, and bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus (PCgG) during the VWM task decreased after instrumental training only in the intervention group. Task‐related functional connectivity (FC) analysis revealed that the intervention group showed decreased FC between the right PCgG and left middle temporal gyrus, and between the left putamen and right superior temporal gyrus (lPu‐rSTG) during a VWM task after the intervention. Furthermore, a greater improvement in memory performance in the intervention group was associated with a larger reduction in lPu‐rSTG FC, which might be interpreted as improved neural efficiency. Our results indicate that the musical instrument training program may contribute to improvements in verbal memory and neural efficiency in novice older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Guo
- Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Yamashita
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Maki Suzuki
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chie Ohsawa
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,School of Music, Mukogawa Women's University, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kohei Asano
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.,Faculty of Child Care and Education, Osaka University of Comprehensive Children Education, Osaka, Japan
| | - Nobuhito Abe
- Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Soshi
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sekiyama
- Graduate School of Advanced Integrated Studies in Human Survivability, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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42
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Penhune VB. A gene-maturation-environment model for understanding sensitive period effects in musical training. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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43
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Palomar-García MÁ, Hernández M, Olcina G, Adrián-Ventura J, Costumero V, Miró-Padilla A, Villar-Rodríguez E, Ávila C. Auditory and frontal anatomic correlates of pitch discrimination in musicians, non-musicians, and children without musical training. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:2735-2744. [PMID: 33029708 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02151-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Individual differences in pitch discrimination have been associated with the volume of both the bilateral Heschl's gyrus and the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). However, most of these studies used samples composed of individuals with different amounts of musical training. Here, we investigated the relationship between pitch discrimination and individual differences in the gray matter (GM) volume of these brain structures in 32 adult musicians, 28 adult non-musicians, and 32 children without musical training. The results showed that (i) the individuals without musical training (whether children or adults) who were better at pitch discrimination had greater volume of auditory regions, whereas (ii) musicians with better pitch discrimination had greater volume of the IFG. These results suggest that the relationship between pitch discrimination and the volume of auditory regions is innately established early in life, and that musical training modulates the volume of the IFG, probably improving audio-motor connectivity. This is the first study to detect a relationship between pitch discrimination ability and GM volume before beginning any musical training in children and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- María-Ángeles Palomar-García
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, s/n., 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
| | - Mireia Hernández
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Group, Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Institut de Neurociències, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustau Olcina
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Education, University Jaume I, 12071, Castellón, Spain
| | - Jesús Adrián-Ventura
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, s/n., 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Víctor Costumero
- Center for Brain and Cognition, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Miró-Padilla
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, s/n., 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Esteban Villar-Rodríguez
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, s/n., 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - César Ávila
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Group, Department of Basic Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat Jaume I, Avda. Sos Baynat, s/n., 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
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44
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González A, Pérez P, Santapau M, González JJ, Modroño CD. A neuroimaging comparative study of changes in a cellist's brain when playing contemporary and Baroque styles. Brain Cogn 2020; 145:105623. [PMID: 32950818 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2020.105623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of different styles of Contemporary concert music in the 20th century led to a marked modification of the foundations built on previous styles. This work investigates whether these modifications, which include procedures and technical resources different to those used in the interpretation of previous musical styles, require different encephalic controls to those used in tonal music and if the experience of the musician in these styles influences them. Functional magnetic resonance images of encephalic regions from 13 professional cellists while interpreting Baroque and Contemporary excerpts inside an MRI scanner were acquired. Activation and connectivity encephalic maps show common cortical motor and sensorial regions (Precentral, Postcentral and Supramarginal Gyri) in both interpretation styles, but with different hemispheric intensity levels. However, certain auditory and motor regions only activate during Baroque. Connectivity maps show some exclusive seed-regions; thus, the Heschl's and Superior Frontal Gyri, Planum-Temporal and Caudate appear as prominent seeds when playing Baroque, whereas when playing Contemporary, the main seeds appear in the Cerebellar-Vermis, Insular cortex and Parietal Operculum. The discrepancies found are attributed to different cognitive, sensory and motor demands underlying the musical interpretation of each style, as well as to the musicians' learning of and training in these styles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almudena González
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas (Fisiología, Medicina), Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Conservatorio Superior de Música de Canarias, 38009 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento Historia del Arte y Filosofía, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Pompeyo Pérez
- Departamento Historia del Arte y Filosofía, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Manuel Santapau
- Conservatorio Profesional de Requena, 46340 Requena, Valencia, Spain; Departamento de Biología, Universidad de las Islas Baleares, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain.
| | - Julián J González
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas (Fisiología, Medicina), Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Biología, Universidad de las Islas Baleares, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, Spain.
| | - Cristián D Modroño
- Departamento Ciencias Médicas Básicas (Fisiología, Medicina), Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
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45
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Mansky R, Marzel A, Orav EJ, Chocano-Bedoya PO, Grünheid P, Mattle M, Freystätter G, Stähelin HB, Egli A, Bischoff-Ferrari HA. Playing a musical instrument is associated with slower cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. Aging Clin Exp Res 2020; 32:1577-1584. [PMID: 32144734 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-020-01472-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elucidating behavioral protective factors for cognitive decline and dementia can have a far-reaching impact. AIMS To describe the association of present and past musical instrument playing with cognitive function in cognitively intact older adults. METHOD A post hoc observational analysis of the Zurich Disability Prevention Trial. Past and present musical instrument playing was correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS) using linear regression at baseline and mixed-model linear regression over 1 year. RESULTS Two hundred community dwelling adults age 70 and older (mean age 77.7) were included. There were 48.5% (97/200) participants, who ever played a musical instrument; 35% (70/200) played in the past and 13.5% (27/200) played at present. At baseline, present players had a suggestively higher adjusted-MMSE than never players (28.9 vs. 28.5, p value 0.059). Over 12 months, compared to never players, ever players showed a significantly better improvement from baseline in adjusted-MMSE (0.29 vs. - 0.12, p value 0.007). The association remained significant even after restricting to participants without higher education (p value 0.03). Over time, no differences were observed for EQ-VAS (p value 0.45). However, past players had the largest decline in health-related quality of life at 12 months. DISCUSSION The support for a protective association in our observational study suggests the need for clinical trials to examine the effect of playing a musical instrument on cognitive function and decline. Both returning to play after an interruption and learning to play from the beginning should be examined. CONCLUSIONS Present and past musical instrument playing may assist in preserving cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Mansky
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alex Marzel
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Teaching, Research and Development, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - E John Orav
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Patricia O Chocano-Bedoya
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Grünheid
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michèle Mattle
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Freystätter
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - H B Stähelin
- Department of Geriatrics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Egli
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heike A Bischoff-Ferrari
- Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 101, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Centre on Aging and Mobility, University Hospital Zurich and City Hospital Waid Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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46
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Wu H, Yan H, Yang Y, Xu M, Shi Y, Zeng W, Li J, Zhang J, Chang C, Wang N. Occupational Neuroplasticity in the Human Brain: A Critical Review and Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies. Front Hum Neurosci 2020; 14:215. [PMID: 32760257 PMCID: PMC7373999 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2020.00215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have revealed the structural or functional brain changes induced by occupational factors. However, it remains largely unknown how occupation-related connectivity shapes the brain. In this paper, we denote occupational neuroplasticity as the neuroplasticity that takes place to satisfy the occupational requirements by extensively professional training and to accommodate the long-term, professional work of daily life, and a critical review of occupational neuroplasticity related to the changes in brain structure and functional networks has been primarily presented. Furthermore, meta-analysis revealed a neurophysiological mechanism of occupational neuroplasticity caused by professional experience. This meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging studies showed that experts displayed stronger activation in the left precentral gyrus [Brodmann area (BA)6], left middle frontal gyrus (BA6), and right inferior frontal gyrus (BA9) than novices, while meta-analysis of structural studies suggested that experts had a greater gray matter volume in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus (BA22) and right putamen than novices. Together, these findings not only expand the current understanding of the common neurophysiological basis of occupational neuroplasticity across different occupations and highlight some possible targets for neural modulation of occupational neuroplasticity but also provide a new perspective for occupational science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongjie Yan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Center for Brain Science and Learning Difficulties, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Min Xu
- Center for Brain Disorders and Cognitive Science, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuhu Shi
- Lab of Digital Image and Intelligent Computation, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiming Zeng
- Lab of Digital Image and Intelligent Computation, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiewei Li
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunqi Chang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Pengcheng Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Nizhuan Wang
- Artificial Intelligence & Neuro-Informatics Engineering (ARINE) Laboratory, School of Computer Engineering, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, China
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47
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Vaquero L, Rousseau PN, Vozian D, Klein D, Penhune V. What you learn & when you learn it: Impact of early bilingual & music experience on the structural characteristics of auditory-motor pathways. Neuroimage 2020; 213:116689. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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Orlandi A, D'Incà S, Proverbio AM. Muscular effort coding in action representation in ballet dancers and controls: Electrophysiological evidence. Brain Res 2020; 1733:146712. [PMID: 32044337 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The present electrophysiological (EEG) study investigated the neural correlates of perceiving effortful vs. effortless movements belonging to a specific repertoire (ballet). Previous evidence has shown an increased heart and respiratory rate during the observation and imagination of human actions that require a great muscular effort. In addition, TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and EEG studies have evidenced a greater muscle-specific cortical excitability and an increase in late event-related potentials during the observation of effortful actions. In this investigation, fifteen professional female ballet dancers and 15 controls with no experience whatsoever with dance, gymnastics, or martial arts were recruited. They were shown 326 short videos displaying a male dancer performing standard ballet steps that could be either effortful or relatively effortless. Participants were instructed to observe each clip and imagine themselves physically executing the same movement. Importantly, they were blinded to the stimuli properties. The observation of effortful compared with effortless movements resulted in a larger P300 over frontal sites in dancers only, likely because of their visuomotor expertise with the specific steps. Moreover, an enhanced Late Positivity was identified over posterior sites in response to effortful stimuli in both groups, possibly reflecting the processing of larger quantities of visual kinematic information. The source reconstruction swLORETA performed on the Late Positivity component showed greater engagement of frontoparietal regions in dancers, while task-related frontal and occipitotemporal visual regions were more active in controls. It, therefore, appears that, in dancers, effort information was encoded in a more refined manner during action observation and in the absence of explicit instruction. Acquired motor knowledge seems to result in visuomotor resonance processes, which, in turn, underlies enhanced action representation of the observed movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Orlandi
- Neuro-MI, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.
| | - Silvia D'Incà
- Neuro-MI, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
| | - Alice Mado Proverbio
- Neuro-MI, Milan Center for Neuroscience, Dept. of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.
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49
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Krishnan S, Lima CF, Evans S, Chen S, Guldner S, Yeff H, Manly T, Scott SK. Beatboxers and Guitarists Engage Sensorimotor Regions Selectively When Listening to the Instruments They can Play. Cereb Cortex 2019; 28:4063-4079. [PMID: 30169831 PMCID: PMC6188551 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhy208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of classical musicians have demonstrated that expertise modulates neural responses during auditory perception. However, it remains unclear whether such expertise-dependent plasticity is modulated by the instrument that a musician plays. To examine whether the recruitment of sensorimotor regions during music perception is modulated by instrument-specific experience, we studied nonclassical musicians-beatboxers, who predominantly use their vocal apparatus to produce sound, and guitarists, who use their hands. We contrast fMRI activity in 20 beatboxers, 20 guitarists, and 20 nonmusicians as they listen to novel beatboxing and guitar pieces. All musicians show enhanced activity in sensorimotor regions (IFG, IPC, and SMA), but only when listening to the musical instrument they can play. Using independent component analysis, we find expertise-selective enhancement in sensorimotor networks, which are distinct from changes in attentional networks. These findings suggest that long-term sensorimotor experience facilitates access to the posterodorsal "how" pathway during auditory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Krishnan
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK
| | - César F Lima
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK.,Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Avenida das Forças Armadas, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Samuel Evans
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, UK
| | - Sinead Chen
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Stella Guldner
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK.,Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS), University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Harry Yeff
- Get Involved Ltd, 3 Loughborough Street, London, UK
| | - Tom Manly
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sophie K Scott
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, 17 Queen Square, London, UK
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50
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Mantel T, Altenmüller E, Li Y, Meindl T, Jochim A, Lee A, Zimmer C, Dresel C, Haslinger B. Abnormalities in grey matter structure in embouchure dystonia. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019; 65:111-116. [PMID: 31147222 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Embouchure dystonia (ED) is a debilitating movement disorder in professional brass players leading to involuntary muscle contractions/spasms during play. To date, activity changes in sensorimotor cortices during motor tasks and tactile processing, as well as connectivity changes at rest in sensorimotor and auditory brain networks have been described in the disease. OBJECTIVE To characterize differences in grey matter volume and asymmetry between brass musicians suffering from ED, healthy brass musicians and healthy nonmusicians. METHODS High-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging was obtained from 24 brass musicians with ED, 23 healthy brass musicians and 24 healthy nonmusicians. Whole-brain voxel-wise morphometry and asymmetry analyses, as well as region-of-interest-based volumetry analysis were performed on the subjects' images and compared between groups. Further, correlations with clinical parameters were investigated. RESULTS ED patients showed increased grey matter volume in the primary sensorimotor cortex in relation to both healthy brass players and nonmusicians. Both healthy and diseased musicians showed increased thalamic symmetry in relation to nonmusicians; diseased brass musicians additionally showed increased basal ganglia symmetry compared to nonmusicians. There was an inverse correlation of disease duration with both mean putaminal volume and the extent of basal ganglia asymmetry. CONCLUSION This work provides first evidence for structural abnormalities in task-specific orofacial (musician's) dystonia. Somatotopy-related structural primary sensorimotor cortex changes underlying previously observed functional abnormalities underscore the role of maladaptive plasticity in the disease. The study further shows subcortical brain (a)symmetry changes in healthy brass players and hints at a possible role of such changes in focal dystonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Mantel
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - Eckart Altenmüller
- Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Emmichplatz 1, Hanover, Germany
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Meindl
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - Angela Jochim
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - André Lee
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - Claus Zimmer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Dresel
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernhard Haslinger
- Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstrasse 22, Munich, Germany.
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