Your brain on music
Can musical training help develop the human brain? New research from scientists at Northwestern University’s Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory reveals that the learning of music is linked to improvement in children’s communication skills and working memory.
The research involved measuring students' brain activity, specifically their auditory brainstem activity, before and after two years in a school-based music program. The findings revealed the importance of music instruction in school and its positive impact on the learning of other school subjects.
How does music training influence the brain anyway? Well, the process involves the interaction of the training with a person’s genetics along with environmental or epigenetic factors. Therefore, both nature and nurture play a role in how musical training can influence the human brain.
Specifically, a person’s interaction with music can help to shape their brain by increasing neural (brain cell) connections. It is worth noting that these types of changes are more apparent during certain periods of development, such as childhood. This indicates that music programs, where children learn a musical instrument, can have positive effects on how their brains develop, well into their adult lives.
So, what does this all mean anyway? Well, it all points to the importance of exposing children to music early on in their lives. That way, children are more likely to experiment with their musical interests and may even decide to take music lessons or classes during critical periods of their brain development.
If you want to have your own musical experience and potentially create some new neural connections, visit the AMPED exhibition located in the Feature Gallery on the second floor at TELUS World of Science. The exhibition is showing until January 5, 2014.
Further Information
To learn more about the Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, please visit their website: soc.northwestern.edu/brainvolts
Sources
Barrett, K.C., Ashley, R., Strait, D.L., & Kraus, N. (in press). “Art and Science: How Musical Training Shapes the Brain.” Frontiers in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience. 4:713. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00713
Skoe, E. & Kraus N. (2012). “A Little Goes a Long Way: How the Adult Brain is Shaped by Musical Training in Childhood.” Journal of Neuroscience. 32(34):11507–11510.
Skoe, E. & Kraus, N. (2013). “Musical Training Heightens Auditory Brainstem Function During Sensitive Periods in Development.” Frontiers in Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience. 4:622. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00622.
Tierney, A., Krizman, J., Skoe, E., Johnston, K, & Kraus, N. (2013). “High School Music Classes Enhance the Neural Processing of Speech.” Frontiers in Educational Psychology. 4:855. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00855.