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Hippocampal Volume, Musical and Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment

Year: 2018

Type: conference-abstract

Abstract: Musical training may protect against neurodegenerative changes in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Yet, it is unknown if enhanced musical abilities from informal musical training protect against MCI. This cross-sectional study examined whether musical abilities modified the relationship between brain pathology and cognitive abilities in 38 persons with MCI. The musical sophistication index measured musical abilities. Cognitive abilities included: episodic memory, processing speed, executive function, visuoconstructive abilities, verbal fluency, and naming. Hippocampal volume (HV) was measured for underlying brain pathology. Pearson’s correlations and linear regression controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, intelligence and depression were run. Higher musical abilities scores correlated with faster performance on the executive function test (r= -0.41; 95% CI (-0.66, -0.09); p=0.02). There was a significant interaction between HV and executive function (parameter estimate -0.00008, SE: 0.00003, p=0.036, R2=0.328), representing a possible compensatory effect of musical abilities against AD pathology in executive function of persons with MCI.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.1239

Authors: D V Petrovsky, J K Johnson, N Tkacs, D Mechanic-Hamilton, R H Hamilton, P Z Cacchione

Institutions: New York University, University of California, San Francisco, University of Southern California, University of Pennsylvania

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977

OpenAlex ID: W2900280976

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Cited by: 1

Related to: 10