New research from Aarhus University (the Centre for Music in the Brain) and Oxford University (Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing) shows how music is perceived with our complex cognitive potential. An analysis of the brainwaves of 83 participants using a blend of magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signifies the link between music and the detection of dementia. The research focused on aiming to bridge the gap of studies about how auditory information is processed beyond the region of the auditory cortex.
How do we identify a piece of music?
The sound of music first enters the auditory cortex. This then goes further to Hippocampus, the area where memory is retained. Followed by this, it passes on to the Cingulate Gyrus which is the zone for attention and emotional processing. With this loop of feedforward and feedback, we can recognize a song quickly or have an accurate or precise prediction of the next upcoming part of the song. The potential to know what’s coming next, be it the lyrics or the rhythm of the song contributes to better enjoyment while listening to it.
Music as a measure of cognitive abilities:
Professor Bonetti, the author of this research signifies its implications to comprehend our cognitive abilities in a much better way. Our cognitive abilities demean with time in old age such as difficulty in memory and retention or low attention span. Dementia is one of the most common conditions that old age brings along with itself. Dementia is directly proportional to our potential for cognitive functions.
With this pathway, researchers have claimed a possibility for the development of screening tools for dementia, the catch here is it’s all individualized. That is, instead of having a standardized checklist that might not be apt for everyone, a screening list that displays the risk of each unique individual for dementia and other cognitive abilities that are prone to get disrupted with old age. The brainwaves of participants are graphed down while different types of music are being played to analyze how the brain showcases its actions for such diversified forms of music genre. Apart from the genre, what music has been listened to earlier in life also helps in determining the pattern of brain activity while the song gets recognized in the brain.
Read More: The Neurobiology of Music and Emotions
With this prediction of dementia and other cognitive abilities in the neural network through this pathway, researchers have also shown interest in the formulation of strategies that can also contribute to enhancing the cognitive potential that gets reduced with age. It includes brain activities that along with fun and enjoyment, bring along a simultaneous positive effect by acting up as exercises to sharpen up the mental abilities of our brain.
In conclusion, this research has made a significant milestone in the area of auditory perception and the neural mechanisms involved with it. Music is a form of art that everyone appreciates, accumulating this virtue to screen ageing conditions is a new step in the world of neuropsychology. Music as a part of brain exercises can be a practical way to retain cognitive abilities in old age since the intrinsic motivation factors here are fun and enjoyment that everyone values and desire to have maximum experience of it.
