- New research suggests that playing a musical instrument could help protect the brain against age-related decline.
- A study found that older adults with long-term musical training performed better at understanding speech in noisy environments and exhibited brain connectivity patterns similar to those of younger individuals.
- Researchers used functional MRI scans to compare brain activity in older musicians, older non-musicians, and young non-musicians, observing how they identified syllables masked by background noise.
- The findings support the 'Hold-Back Upregulation' hypothesis, indicating that musical experience builds cognitive reserve, enabling the brain to maintain more 'youth-like' functional features rather than simply compensating for decline.
- The study adds to growing evidence that positive lifestyle choices, such as musical training, can help the brain cope better with ageing, suggesting it is never too late to take up such a hobby.
IN FULL
Playing an instrument may help protect brain against ageing, study finds
