Long‐term musical training induces white matter plasticity in emotion and language networks

Numerous studies have reported that long‐term musical training can affect brain functionality and induce structural alterations in the brain. Singing is a form of vocal musical expression with an unparalleled capacity for communicating emotion; however, there has been relatively little research on n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human brain mapping 2023-01, Vol.44 (1), p.5-17
Main Authors: Cheng, Li‐Kai, Chiu, Yu‐Hsien, Lin, Ying‐Chia, Li, Wei‐Chi, Hong, Tzu‐Yi, Yang, Ching‐Ju, Shih, Chung‐Heng, Yeh, Tzu‐Chen, Tseng, Wen‐Yih Isaac, Yu, Hsin‐Yen, Hsieh, Jen‐Chuen, Chen, Li‐Fen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amygdala
Asymmetry
Brain
brain asymmetry
Brain Mapping
College students
Computer architecture
Datasets
Discriminant analysis
Efficiency
emotion
Emotions
Graph theory
Humans
Information processing
Language
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Motor task performance
Music
Musicians & conductors
Natural language processing
Neural networks
Neural plasticity
Neuronal Plasticity
Putamen
Sensory feedback
Sensory integration
Singers
structural connectivity
Substantia alba
Training
Vibrato
vocal training
Voice communication
Voice training
White Matter - diagnostic imaging
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Summary:Numerous studies have reported that long‐term musical training can affect brain functionality and induce structural alterations in the brain. Singing is a form of vocal musical expression with an unparalleled capacity for communicating emotion; however, there has been relatively little research on neuroplasticity at the network level in vocalists (i.e., noninstrumental musicians). Our objective in this study was to elucidate changes in the neural network architecture following long‐term training in the musical arts. We employed a framework based on graph theory to depict the connectivity and efficiency of structural networks in the brain, based on diffusion‐weighted images obtained from 35 vocalists, 27 pianists, and 33 nonmusicians. Our results revealed that musical training (both voice and piano) could enhance connectivity among emotion‐related regions of the brain, such as the amygdala. We also discovered that voice training reshaped the architecture of experience‐dependent networks, such as those involved in vocal motor control, sensory feedback, and language processing. It appears that vocal‐related changes in areas such as the insula, paracentral lobule, supramarginal gyrus, and putamen are associated with functional segregation, multisensory integration, and enhanced network interconnectivity. These results suggest that long‐term musical training can strengthen or prune white matter connectivity networks in an experience‐dependent manner. Musical training (both voice and piano) could enhance connectivity among emotion‐related regions of the brain, such as the amygdala. Voice training reshaped the architecture of experience‐dependent networks, such as those involved in vocal motor control, sensory feedback, and language processing. Long‐term musical training can strengthen or prune white matter connectivity networks in an experience‐dependent manner.
ISSN:1065-9471
1097-0193
DOI:10.1002/hbm.26054