How does music impact brain function? A new study suggests that music has beneficial effects on cognition.
Study Summary
The study, which included older adults aged 54-89, found that:
- Those who listened to their favorite music experienced an increase in brain connectivity.
- Listening to familiar and well-liked music connected the brain's auditory system with its reward system, which controls motivation.
The Hearty Take
The brain’s reward system loses functional connectivity with age and cognitive impairment. This study suggests that music, when personalized to the listener, is a tool to enhance that functional connectivity for older adults. At Hearty, we believe that music is medicine. Promote brain health by regularly listening to your favorite music!
