Annemarie Seither?Preisler|Richard Parncutt|Peter Schneider
Size and Synchronization of Auditory Cortex Promotes Musical, Literacy, and Attentional Skills in Children
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Psychology|University of Graz|University of Graz|Heidelberg University|University Hospital Heidelberg
playing musical instrument associated numerous neural processes continuously modify human brain may facilitate characteristic auditory skills longitudinal study investigated auditory neural plasticity musical learning 111 young children aged 79 function intensity instrumental practice musical aptitude frequent cooccurrence central auditory processing disorders attentional deficits also tested 21 children attention deficit hyperactivity disorder adhd magnetic resonance imaging magnetoencephalography revealed enlarged heschls gyri enhanced rightleft hemispheric synchronization primary evoked response p1 harmonic complex sounds children spent time practicing musical instrument anatomical characteristics positively correlated frequency discrimination reading spelling skills conversely adhd children showed reduced volumes heschls gyri enhanced volumes plana temporalia associated distinct bilateral p1 asynchrony may indicate risk central auditory processing disorders often associated attentional literacy problems longitudinal comparisons revealed high stability auditory cortex morphology gray matter volumes suggesting combined anatomical functional parameters neural markers musicality attention deficits educational clinical implications considered