RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Size and Synchronization of Auditory Cortex Promotes Musical, Literacy, and Attentional Skills in Children
JF The Journal of Neuroscience
JO J. Neurosci.
FD Society for Neuroscience
SP 10937
OP 10949
DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5315-13.2014
VO 34
IS 33
A1 Annemarie Seither-Preisler
A1 Richard Parncutt
A1 Peter Schneider
YR 2014
UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/33/10937.abstract
AB Playing a musical instrument is associated with numerous neural processes that continuously modify the human brain and may facilitate characteristic auditory skills. In a longitudinal study, we investigated the auditory and neural plasticity of musical learning in 111 young children (aged 7–9 y) as a function of the intensity of instrumental practice and musical aptitude. Because of the frequent co-occurrence of central auditory processing disorders and attentional deficits, we also tested 21 children with attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder [AD(H)D]. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetoencephalography revealed enlarged Heschl's gyri and enhanced right–left hemispheric synchronization of the primary evoked response (P1) to harmonic complex sounds in children who spent more time practicing a musical instrument. The anatomical characteristics were positively correlated with frequency discrimination, reading, and spelling skills. Conversely, AD(H)D children showed reduced volumes of Heschl's gyri and enhanced volumes of the plana temporalia that were associated with a distinct bilateral P1 asynchrony. This may indicate a risk for central auditory processing disorders that are often associated with attentional and literacy problems. The longitudinal comparisons revealed a very high stability of auditory cortex morphology and gray matter volumes, suggesting that the combined anatomical and functional parameters are neural markers of musicality and attention deficits. Educational and clinical implications are considered.