Cognitive Benefits of Musical Training

BENITEZ, MARIA ANGELICA; SHIFRES, FAVIO; JUSTEL, NADIA

Simposio; SAN2022 MEETING; 2022

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias

The issue of how music experiences affect development is a matter of interest that has increased over the last two decades, motivated by the idea that music training is a useful framework for the investigation of plasticity in the human brain. Several studies have shown that musicians differ from non-musicians in certain aspects of brain structures and functions. However, recent researchers in this field have reached inconsistent conclusions. The goal of this talk is to present recent studies about the relationship between music training and different cognitive functions in Argentinian children and adolescents. We compare the scores of memory, language, and visuospatial ability evaluated through neuropsychological tests in children and adolescents with and without music training. To evaluate their memory, we used a task carried out through the International Affective Picture System. To evaluate language and visuospatial ability, we used the Child Neuropsychological Assessment. The musicians received almost two years of previous music training from conservatories of music in Argentina. The main results show that musicians obtain higher scores in tests of memory and language than subjects with no music training. There were no other significant results. These studies are an important step forward in music neuroscience in Argentina. We believe that new music training research in this country that controls and manipulates imaging techniques, genetic predispositions, and levels of engagement in training could provide new information about the relationship between music and cognition in Latin America. This research is important not only because of its contribution to the area of brain plasticity as a product of musical stimulation but also because of its relevance in the clinical area, for the rehabilitation of motor functions and the music therapy field.