Music Rejuvenates: The Benefits of Musicianship in Aging

In the metaphorical river of age, an elderly musician moves against the current, rejuvenated by the power of music. As the fish represent the aging brain, they gradually get younger as they swim upstream. This imagery is not far from reality, as studies have shown that musicians have better preserved functions in the sensorimotor cortical areas of the brain.

In particular, Zhang et al (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adg7056). conducted research that showed how even in old age, musicians can distinguish speech well in noisy environments, unlike those who have not engaged in music. This suggests that musicianship can mitigate age-related declines in audiovisual speech-in-noise perception, allowing for better communication abilities in older adults.

These findings were published in the scientific journals Neuron and Cell, highlighting the significance and impact of the research. It is clear that music has the power to rejuvenate and preserve cognitive abilities, making it a valuable activity for people of all ages.

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