Music and the Aging Brain

Book excerpt: Music and the Aging Brain describes brain functioning in aging and addresses the power of music to protect the brain from loss of function and how to cope with the ravages of brain diseases that accompany aging. By studying the power of music in aging through the lens of neuroscience, behavioral, and clinical science, the book explains brain organization and function. Written for those researching the brain and aging, the book provides solid examples of research fundamentals, including rigorous standards for sample selection, control groups, description of intervention activities, measures of health outcomes, statistical methods, and logically stated conclusions. - Summarizes brain structures supporting music perception and cognition - Examines and explains music as neuroprotective in normal aging - Addresses the association of hearing loss to dementia - Promotes a neurological approach for research in music as therapy - Proposes questions for future research in music and aging