Music and cerebral hemodynamics

J Clin Neurosci. 2000 Sep;7(5):425-8. doi: 10.1054/jocn.1999.0683.

Abstract

Previous studies performed by positron emission tomography and Transcranial Doppler (TCD) found a different cerebral activation during musical stimuli in musicians compared to non-musicians. The aim of our study is to evaluate by means of TCD, possible different pattern of cerebral activation during the performance of different musical tasks in musicians, non-musicians and lyrical singers. Our findings show a left hemispheric activation in musicians and a right one in non-musicians. Preliminary data on lyrical singers' activation patterns need further confirmation with a larger population. These data could be related to a different approach to music listening in musicians (analytical) and non-musicians who are supposed to have an emotional approach to music.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / physiology*
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Middle Cerebral Artery / physiology
  • Music*
  • Perception / physiology*
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / methods