A new study suggests that regular participation in choir singing can improve brain health by enhancing the structure of white matter, the part of the brain responsible for communication between different regions.
Choir singing associated with improved brain structure, especially in older adults
1 Comment
Very, very interesting. Here are some pieces from the study.
Abstract:
—
>… Previous evidence suggests that music can promote white matter (WM) microstructure and grey matter (GM) volume while supporting auditory and cognitive functioning and emotional well-being as well as counteracting age-related cognitive decline. …
—
>… Independent of age, choir singing experience was associated with extensive increases in WM QA in commissural, association, and projection tracts across the brain. Corroborating previous work, these overlapped with language and limbic networks. Enhanced corpus callosum microstructure was associated with choir singing experience across all subgroups. In addition, choir singing experience was selectively associated with enhanced QA in the fornix in older participants. …
—
>… No associations between GM volume and choir singing were found. …