For example, studies have shown that listening to Music seems to reduce aggression, agitation and anxiety in people with dementia. A small study published in 2017 indicated that music seems to improve the executive function of adults with dementia, that is to say their ability to solve problems, regulate their emotions and concentrate.
“But not everyone will respond,” said Professor Robert Zatorre, an expert on the effect of music on the brain at the Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital. Some will respond very well, others a little less and others not at all, and we don’t know why. But it’s not magic or miraculous. Even in people who respond, (the beneficial effect) may only last a few minutes, and then they will relapse into their problem.”
Scientists discovered several years ago that listening to music mobilizes several regions of the brain, notably the one responsible for memory and emotions, the one which manages perceptions and learning, and the one responsible for movements. volunteers.
It also seems that these regions are less damaged by dementia than others, which would explain why people who suffer from it are still able to react to music.
The benefits of music for the brain are even more important when it is a musical genre that the listener enjoys or a melody associated with memories and emotions.
The cultural aspect must also be taken into account, added Professor Zatorre. For example, a Quebecer will be more likely to react to the music of Cowboys Fringants than an individual from Asia.
“It’s often the emotional charge that will have an effect,” he explained. So, in a therapeutic setting, it’s good to choose music that is known, or music that is not known, but which resembles something easy for the individual to recognize.
Swan Lake
These are images that have gone around the world, and which give you chills.
An elderly ballerina, heavily burdened by dementia, confined to her wheelchair by Alzheimer’s disease, suddenly comes to life and begins to dance to the sound of “Swan Lake”.
“We are not able to explain exactly what is happening,” admitted Professor Zatorre. But one thing that’s important to me is the role of the reward system in the brain, a system that allows us to feel pleasure from certain stimuli.”
After all, he continues, this system is essential to survival, since it is the one that allows us to feel pleasure, for example, when we eat or when we participate in sexual activity. “There are therefore very important biological bases for survival,” he recalled.
In the case of the ballerina, added Professor Zatorre, it is likely someone who had received very particular musical training and for whom music had always occupied a very important place.
“By listening to the music, I suppose there is an expression of dopamine in his brain, and dopamine will create several behaviors because it is also linked to movement,” he explained. If the music triggers this reaction with dopamine, maybe that could explain why she starts moving, because now there’s more dopamine and that makes it easier to move.”
But for the moment, said Professor Zatorre, there is a lack of scientific data to better understand the effect of music on the brain. We only have anecdotes and observations which, although interesting, do not constitute scientific proof.
“For a few individuals, it could have a pretty profound effect, so it’s always worth trying and continuing to try because it can vary from time to time,” he said in conclusion. The person doesn’t respond one day, but you come back the day after and they’ll respond, so it’s always worth it. And the advantage of music is that it costs nothing and there is no risk. It will never do any harm.”
