Music and Alzheimer's Disease: You May Be Able to Slow the Decline

Photo by Adrian Korte on Unsplash

Do you have a family member or friend in the early stage of cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease?

If so, encourage them to listen to music they love from their past. New research from the University of Toronto has shown that autobiographically salient music helps these individuals' brains become more plastic and resist the negative effects of Alzheimer's disease.

The key is to make sure the music has meaning for your loved one. Don’t play them the music you love from your youth. Play them the music they love from their youth.

reference: Fischer, C. E., et al. (2021). Long-Known Music Exposure Effects on Brain Imaging and Cognition in Early-Stage Cognitive Decline: A Pilot Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 84(2).