Benefits of childhood music lessons may extend into old age

June, 2011

A new study finds length of musical training in childhood is associated with less cognitive decline in old age.

A study involving 70 older adults (60-83) has found that those with at least ten years of musical training performed the best on cognitive tests, followed by those with one to nine years of musical study, with those with no musical training trailing the field.

All the musicians were amateurs who began playing an instrument at about 10 years of age. Half of the high-level musicians still played an instrument at the time of the study, but they didn't perform better on the cognitive tests than the other advanced musicians who had stopped playing years earlier. Previous research suggests that both years of musical participation and age of acquisition are critical.

All the participants had similar levels of education and fitness. The cognitive tests related to visuospatial memory, naming objects and executive function.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-04/eu-mam042011.php
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-04/apa-cml042011.php

Reference:

Hanna-Pladdy, B. & MacKay, A. 2011. The relation between instrumental musical activity and cognitive aging. Neuropsychology, 25 (3), 378-86. doi: 10.1037/a0021895

music

seniors

aging

Strategies

Related News

Music training protects against aging-related hearing loss

I’ve spoken before about the association between hearing loss in old age and dementia risk.

Nicotine patch shows benefits in mild cognitive impairment

The study involved 74 non-smokers with amnestic

Higher risk of mild cognitive impairment among older men

More data from the long-running Mayo Clinic Study of Aging has revealed that, in this one part of the U.S.

'Exergames' may provide greater cognitive benefit for older adults

We know that physical exercise greatly helps you prevent cognitive decline with aging. We know that mental stimulation also helps you prevent age-related cognitive decline. So it was only a matter of time before someone came up with a way of combining the two.

Cognitive decline begins in middle age

The age at which cognitive decline begins has been the subject of much debate. The Seattle longitudinal study has provided most of the evidence that it doesn’t begin until age 60.

Diet linked to brain atrophy in old age

The study involved 104 healthy older adults (average age 87) participating in the Oregon Brain Aging Study.

Physical evidence bilingualism delays onset of Alzheimer's symptoms

Growing evidence points to greater education and mentally stimulating occupations and activities providing a

Brain atrophy may predict risk for early Alzheimer's disease

A study involving 159 older adults (average age 76) has confirmed that the amount of brain tissue in specific regions is a predictor of Alzheimer’s disease development.

Reviving a failing sense of smell through training

The olfactory bulb is in the oldest part of our brain. It connects directly to the

Why diabetes is linked to cognitive impairment in older adults

Why is diabetes associated with cognitive impairment and even dementia in older adults? New research pinpoints two molecules that trigger a cascade of events that end in poor blood flow and brain atrophy.

Pages