Cortical thickness maturation and duration of music training: health-promoting activities shape brain development.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To assess the extent to which playing a musical instrument is associated with cortical thickness development among healthy youths.

Method

Participants were part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Study of Normal Brain Development. This study followed a longitudinal design such that participants underwent MRI scanning and behavioral testing on up to 3 separate visits, occurring at 2-year intervals. MRI, IQ, and music training data were available for 232 youths (334 scans), ranging from 6 to 18 years of age. Cortical thickness was regressed against the number of years that each youth had played a musical instrument. Next, thickness was regressed against an "Age × Years of Playing" interaction term. Age, gender, total brain vol

SUBMITTER: Hudziak JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4254594 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature