Mapping the musical brain in dementia

Music is an important part of life for individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Numerous clinical studies have detailed music’s positive effects on quality of life in dementia care, however, much is still unknown about how music is processed in the brain, and how the brain adapts to neurodegeneration in dementia to maintain a connection to music. This is an important unanswered question as many assessment tools do not allow us to look at brain activity with persons with dementia in a way that is enjoyable and accessible to the individual. This project will record brain data during music listening and analyze the resulting brain network data for age- and diagnosis-related patterns. Music helps stimulate memories and promotes social interaction with loved ones, making it a beneficial addition to the lives of individuals with dementia. However, much still needs to be discovered about how and why music works. This study will provide information that can help improve access to music-based therapies for individuals with dementia in BC and will give researchers a greater understanding of brain adaptation in dementia.