A study explores brain plasticity associated with learning a musical instrument. Brain plasticity, which reflects experience-dependent changes in brain circuits, can result from repetitive activities, such as musical training. However, the underlying mechanisms by which brain plasticity develops over time remain unclear. Indiana Wollman and colleagues used an opto-acoustic MRI-compatible cello to scan 13 participants, 20-31 years of age, with no previous music training before and after they learned to play the instrument. The authors report rapid recruitment of the brain's dorsal auditory-to-motor cortical pathway when participants played or passively listened to the learned melodies. The activation of the brain regions, involved in auditory encoding and motor control, was associated with improved musical production. Additionally, brain connectivity between the supplementary motor and auditory areas during passive listening prior to cello training was associated with training success. The findings carry potential implications for rehabilitation strategies based on audio-motor learning, according to the authors.
Article #17-21414: "Neural network retuning and neural predictors of learning success associated with cello training," by Indiana Wollman, Virginia Penhune, Melanie Segado, Thibaut Carpentier, and Robert Zatorre.
MEDIA CONTACT: Indiana Wollman, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, CANADA; tel: +33 6 19 08 01 96; e-mail: <indiana.wollman@mail.mcgill.ca>
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Journal
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences