Anticipatory neurogenesis: Aneffectcreatedthroughmusicplayedinbackground causingSpatial-Temporalneuralnetworksinthebrain
Key Words: Neuromusicology, Music and mind, Focus, attention, Neuroplasticity, Anticipatory Neurogenesis, emotion, memory networks Written by Prof B.Sai Kiran Kumar Consultant neurofeedback trainer BCIA USA, Navyashree.C Psychologist and certified Neurof
Music has a unique property of sustaining attention by creating patterns in the neural circuits of our brain. When a piece of music is played, our brain immediately begins categorizing it into various categories such as genre, soft, harsh, rhythmic arrhythmic and more. The effect of music on attention centers of the brain has been studied through many clinical trials.
The effect of background music can affect a person’s attention and work productivity in a significant manner by stimulating the executive centers of the brain predominantly located in the frontal (front) portion of the brain. Thee nerve cells are trained in a manner which enables prediction prior to the tunes of the music being heard. This is because of the important centers of the brain linked to the anticipatory effect of a played melody, harmony or even a specific section of the tune containing a bridge or an abstract expression. This principle is called spatial-temporal neurogenesis, which causes new nerve networks to associate with each other creating an organized nerve network, which upon repetition causes memory associated to the respective tune.
The amplification of frontal brain activity increases the chances of better decision making and planning. The interpretation and differentiation of sounds having minute variation becomes clearer. This also helps to increase the visualizing capabilities. Further the neural network in the cerebellum is also highly activated and serves in better physical movements. A classic example is of an amnesia patient who remembers the gross motor activities that was learnt during childhood though he/she might forget the people whom they’ve known. Unlike the Mozart effect, any music of one’s choice contributes to a better functioning of the neural network.
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