Musical Training and Late-Life Cognition

“Musical Training and Late-Life Cognition” refers to a growing body of research exploring the potential cognitive benefits of musical training in older adults. This line of inquiry investigates whether engaging in musical activities earlier in life may have a positive impact on cognitive function and brain health as individuals age. Several studies have suggested that … Read more

Melodic sound enhances visual awareness of congruent musical notes, but only if you can read music

Predictive influences of auditory information on resolution of visual competition were investigated using music, whose visual symbolic notation is familiar only to those with musical training. Results from two experiments using different experimental paradigms revealed that melodic congruence between what is seen and what is heard impacts perceptual dynamics during binocular rivalry. This bisensory interaction … Read more

How Arts Training Improves Attention and Cognition

Sustained training in music, dance or other arts strengthens the brain’s attention system, which in turn may improve cognition more generally. Evidence for such cognitive “transfer” is accumulating. Dr. Michael I. Posner: “Does education in the arts transfer to seemingly unrelated cognitive abilities? Researchers are finding evidence that it does. Michael Posner argues that when … Read more