Could 'musical medicine' influence healthy aging?

Imagine a world where music serves as a powerful tool for healthy aging. 

Dr. Psyche Loui at Northeastern University explores how music strengthens brain connections, enhancing memory and emotions.

Below is a summary of their fantastic research. 

Psyche Loui’s Research and Music’s Role in Memory: Dr. Psyche Loui, at North-eastern University, studies how music affects brain regions involved in learning, memory, and emotions. Her work shows that music activates the auditory cortex and the brain's reward systems, including the medial prefrontal cortex. Loui’s research aims to strengthen connections in the brain through music, potentially aiding those with memory impairments.

Mindful Music Listening and Neurocognitive Health: Loui's eight-week music-based listening program for older adults enhanced connections between the auditory system and the medial prefrontal cortex. Her latest project pairs music with rhythmic LED light patterns to explore their effects on Alzheimer ’s-related brain deposits.

Singing to Build Cognitive and Social Connections: Dr. Julene Johnson at UCSF studies the impact of music on health. Her Community of Voices study found that choir participation reduced loneliness and increased life satisfaction among older adults. She is now researching if musical improvisation can enhance cognition in those with mild cognitive impairment.

Music’s Potential to Reduce ICU Patient Delirium: Dr. Babar Khan and Dr. Linda Chlan explore music therapy to reduce delirium in ICU patients. Their studies suggest slow, relaxing music can decrease anxiety and reduce sedative use. Khan sees music as a potential tool to ease ICU patients' stress and delirium.

Soothing Sleep with Music for Dementia Patients: Dr Darina Petrovsky at Rutgers University is developing CoMPoSER, an app to help caregivers create personalized music playlists to improve sleep in dementia patients. The app aims to promote relaxation and better sleep through music tailored to the listener's heartbeat.

Testing Music to Reduce Agitation and Aggression: Dr. Vincent Mor and Dr. Ellen McCreedy at Brown University study if personalized music can reduce agitation in dementia patients. Their METRIcAL study faced challenges in identifying preferred music for advanced dementia patients, but the potential for music therapy remains promising.