Article Summary:
A recent study suggests that regularly listening to music could significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. The ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons examined data from over 10,000 Australian participants aged 70 and older, tracking their cognitive health over a decade.
Researchers found that participants who listened to music most days experienced a 39 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not regularly listen to music. The study, led by Joanne Ryan from Monash University, involved annual data collection and cognitive function assessments.
Of the 10,893 participants, 7,030 who were frequent music listeners demonstrated not only decreased dementia risk but also consistently better performance on memory and cognitive function tests. While the research is observational and cannot definitively prove causation, the findings are compelling.
Princeton University’s Music Cognition Lab provides insights into why music might benefit brain health. When listening to music, multiple brain regions are activated, including motor, sensory, emotional, and imaginative areas. Elizabeth Margulis, the lab’s director, suggests that music’s ability to stimulate communication between these brain regions is crucial.
Interestingly, the study found similar cognitive benefits for both music listeners and musicians, with musicians experiencing a 35 percent reduction in dementia risk. The research emphasizes that one doesn’t need to be musically skilled to gain cognitive advantages.
Ryan encourages people to listen to music, noting its potential brain-stimulating and mood-boosting properties, and has personally increased her own music listening habits.