How the Magic of Music Proves Therapeutic for Patients with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Henry is an elderly man with dementia. His story was captured in this viral video. His moving story is living proof the transformational power of music. This is what gives meaning to all of the lab coat laden study's on the effects of music. Henry flips from a quiet, still elderly man, unable to recognize even his own daughter. To a snappy spritzy youthful gent, radiating happiness and positive energy. Headphones go on. Music flows through his veins. He wakes up. Typically silent Henry seems to have flipped a switch as he talks of his love for his favourite jazz singers. The music from his youth revitalizes him, and brings back his ability to remember powerful strong moments from his youth. It is a well known effect of music, and it's getting some serious attention. The poignant footage demonstrates a well-known but under-studied effect: Experts say music really can "awaken" Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Neurologists at the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center are leading the field in uncovering why music seems to affect memory and, more important, how music therapy can be used to improve the lives of those whose memories are fading. Via LiveScience Neurologist Andrew Budson has two theories to explain the transformative effect we witness in Henry, and others suffering from dementia. The emotional content of the music can trigger some of the most powerful memories we have. These deep powerful memories are the most common to surface from heavily affected Alzheimer's patients. Another theory focuses more on procedural memory. This type of memory is associated with our routines and repeatable activities (AKA muscle memory). Dementia has the biggest effect on our episodic memory which contains our long term important emotional memories over our lives. As we age, these strong emotional memories do not fade, hence our retention of music appreciation. Music's ability to tap into procedural memory and pull on our emotional heartstrings may mean it can do more than simply allow dementia sufferers to access pristine memories from the past. In 2010, the researchers discovered that Alzheimer's patients had a much easier time recalling song lyrics after the words had been sung to them than they could after the words had been spoken. "It suggested that music might enhance new memory formation in patients," said Nicholas Simmons-Stern, also at Boston University and lead author of the study. Via LiveScience Since then, the researchers have been investigating whether patients can learn vital information, such as when to take their medication, through song. According to Simmons-Stern, as-yet unpublished results lend hope to the idea, suggesting music will be a powerful tool for the treatment and care of dementia patients in the future. However, to have the intended effect, the music must ring true: "The lyrics need to fit the music in a way that's natural and enhancing, and the process of fitting is extremely important," he said. Repetition of the lyrics is also crucial. Despite this progress, the scientists still aren't sure whether music aids in patients' ability to form new memories by harnessing procedural memory, [...]

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