Music and Plasticity of the Brain Prof. Dr. Lutz Jäncke University of Zurich Neuropsychology

Main Discovery of Cognitive Neurosciences Human brain is plastic in terms of Human brain is plastic in terms of Anatomy Anatomy Function Function Human brain can be shaped by external influences Human brain can be shaped by external influences Learning Learning Practising Practising

Musicians as a model for brain plasticity Professional musicians start very early in life with musical training They continue to practise throughout their entire life many hours a day Increased grey matter density correlates with musicianship !

Plasticity, Music and Seniors Practising music throughout the entire life prevents the decline of grey matter volume in the frontal cortex with increasing age. No grey matter loss

Extension Not only music has the potential to shape the brain! Many cognitions can modify the brain Thus, use them or lose them ! Be attentive and eager to learn throughout your entire life Your brain will love it!

Music and Self-Focussed Attention Hearing and imagining to hear music can induce a specific mode of brain processing Self-focussed attention Default mode of the brain Similar to meditation

Music and the brain Music is an ideal tool to study Music is an ideal tool to study Brain plasticity in the human brain Brain plasticity in the human brain Self-referenced brain processing in the human Self-referenced brain processing in the human

Thank you very much for your attention