Music May Help Prevent Dementia, New Studies Suggest

Listening to music may offer significant protective benefits against dementia, according to a recent study from Australian researchers. The study, part of the ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons, tracked over 10,000 adults aged 70 and older for approximately a decade, examining various lifestyle factors associated with healthy aging.

Findings revealed that older adults who regularly listened to music had a 39 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not incorporate music into their daily routines. Senior researcher Joanne Ryan, who leads the Biological Neuropsychiatry and Dementia unit at Monash University, noted that participants who listened to music most days performed better on memory tasks and cognitive function tests throughout the study period.

Out of the nearly 11 thousand participants, around 7,000 reported listening to music frequently, and those individuals experienced the most significant reduction in dementia risk. While the study did not specify which genres of music were most beneficial, Ryan emphasized that it could not definitively prove that music listening directly prevents dementia, though the correlation was strong enough to suggest a possible link.

Music has previously been shown to enhance mood and stimulate various brain areas. As noted by Elizabeth Margulis, director of Princeton University's Music Cognition Lab, listening to music activates motor, sensory, and emotional processing regions in the brain, fostering meaningful intercommunication between these areas.

Additionally, the study found that playing music also yielded benefits, with a 35 percent reduction in dementia risk for those who engaged in music-making. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, not directly involved in the study, described listening to music as neuroprotective, arguing that it fosters resilience and aids in the formation of new neural pathways.

This research underscores the potential role of music therapy in cognitive health, particularly as it relates to aging populations. Sources indicate that while these findings are promising, individuals should still seek personalized medical advice regarding their health and wellness strategies.