Playing musical instruments has been found to have a positive impact on brain health, particularly in older adults. Two recent studies suggest that musicians may be able to build cognitive reserve and avoid age-related cognitive decline.
One study published in PLOS Biology recruited 50 adults with an average age of 65 and divided them into two groups: those who had played an instrument for at least 32 years, and those who had not played an instrument. The researchers found that the brains of older musicians showed strong connections in the right sides of their brains, while the brains of non-musicians did not.
The study also found that the brains of older musicians were able to respond to cognitive challenges more efficiently than those of non-musicians. This is because years of musical training had finely tuned their brains, allowing them to cope with age-related changes in a healthy way.
Another study published in Imaging Neuroscience recruited 24 young people and followed up on a group of 53 older adults who learned to play an instrument for four months. Four years later, the researchers found that those who continued to practice music had improved cognitive function and maintained brain structure, while those who stopped practicing showed signs of cognitive decline.
According to Dr Morten Scheibye-Knudsen, associate professor of ageing at the University of Copenhagen, playing a musical instrument can have direct positive effects on preserving cognitive function as we age. He also emphasizes that there are additional benefits to playing music, including increased social interactions, which is essential for our well-being as we age.
Overall, these studies suggest that playing musical instruments may be a valuable tool in preventing dementia and maintaining brain health as we age.
Source: https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/brain-musical-instrument