Put on some tunes ... it’s good for your brain

Put on some tunes … it's good for your brain

Good news, music fans. A recent study found that people who listened to tunes most days had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia.

The decade-long study followed 10,000 people. Published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the article is titled "What Is the Association Between Music-Related Leisure Activities and Dementia Risk? A Cohort Study."

"It's a very interesting study," said Alba Coraini, MD, a neurologist who practices at Neurologists of Cape Cod at the Trachsel Neuroscience Institute in Hyannis. "When our patients come in with some cognitive changes, we always recommend a few things. Among these are socializing as much as possible, keeping your mind active and engaging in hobbies or other mental activities. Listening to music falls under those categories."

The study found that those who listened to music most days cut their risk of developing dementia by 39 percent, although the causes for the difference have not yet been determined.

"There are different areas of the brain that are involved, especially the temporal lobes, when listening to music, said Dr. Coraini. "The brain processes music in a way that enhances or strengthens the synapses, the connections between neurons. That helps our brain have a good network of nerve cells that can function for a long time."

Listening to favorite music from your younger days has been shown to have a positive effect on the brain.

"Other studies showed some increased levels of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the brain secondary to activities that elicit distant memories or memories linked to childhood, for example," she said. "That can cause a sensation of happiness in general in patients."

The Brain's Plasticity

Listening to music is among the activities that have been found to be neuroprotective - protecting the brain by creating new neural pathways, she said.

"We always thought that nerve cells were terminal cells, meaning that once they die, they cannot regrow. But there have been some studies that say that we actually can grow new neurons, and we can strengthen the connections between existing neurons. In doing so, we can create more pathways that can be used by brain cells.

"There is a lot of plasticity in our brain. We know that experiences in life and what we do on a daily basis significantly influences these pathways."

One nice feature about music as medicine is that it's as available and effortless as turning on a radio.

But Dr. Coraini said that protecting our brains requires a multi-faceted approach.

"It's everything taken all together. Listening to music to help us prevent Alzheimer's is just part of a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits. It goes along with our recommendations of having a healthy diet and good hydration and taking part in other hobbies and socializing as much as possible. I think it should be seen as part of a general conversation about lifestyle."