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Music Prompts Memory in Alzheimer's Patients

iPod therapy stimulates cognitive functions lost to disease

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 17, 2009 1:26 PM CST

(Newser) – Therapists and doctors who treat Alzheimer's are now using music not only to soothe and entertain their patients but to restore some cognitive function. For decades it's been recognized that Alzheimer's patients can still remember and sing songs long after they've stopped recognizing names and faces. Now it's thought that those tunes can provide a pathway back to memories otherwise lost. One claims intensive music therapy can lead to an increase of 50% on cognitive-function tests.

“By engaging very basic mechanisms of emotions and listening,” one caregiver tells the Wall Street Journal, “music is stimulating dormant areas of the brain that haven't been accessible due to degenerative disease.” Another therapist says by singing along patients “are exercising their cognitive function—just like they are exercising in physical therapy.” They can even learn new songs, he adds, citing a colleague's success with “Who Let the Dogs Out?” “I know they had never heard that one, but it became an anthem.”

Familiar music from youth appears to awaken long-lost memories in Alzheimer's patients.
Familiar music from youth appears to awaken long-lost memories in Alzheimer's patients.   (AP Photo)
Familiar music from youth appears to awaken long-lost memories in Alzheimer's patients.
Familiar music from youth appears to awaken long-lost memories in Alzheimer's patients.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
YOU_SUCK
Nov 18, 2009 8:24 AM CST
The diseases are more similar than you think, SPH. They both deal with similar regions of the brain and similar proteins being over-expressed or under-expressed, as well as lack of dopamine uptake. If music is therapeutic in both diseases, it may lend more evidence to links between the two diseases.
cornelison
Nov 18, 2009 3:31 AM CST
Hi SPH. I wasn't drawing any conclusions about either disease. Music has its many rewards for as many different reasons. I know two different people who've had brain aneurysms yet both had very different outcomes. My condolences to you and your family regarding your parents.
JChron
Nov 17, 2009 10:20 AM CST
That's awesome.

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