Based on the data of imaging studies that looked at the localization of processing melodies, it can be inferred that the anatomical location of the processes in consistent with the findings that some SD patients have intact melody recognition. Additionally, the neurobiological basis for musical emotion identification implicated the limbic and paralimbic structures in this process. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that the neurobiological basis of musical semantic memory is bilaterally located in the cerebral hemispheres, likely around the fronto-temporal areas of the brain. Unfortunately, due to the lack of studies studying musical semantic memory, conclusions cannot be more specific. Treatment
There is currently no known curative treatment for SD. The average duration of illness is 8–10 years, and its progression cannot be slowed. Progression of SD can lead to behavioral and social difficulties, thus supportive care is essential for improving quality of life in SD patients as they grow more incomprehensible. Continuous practice in lexical learning has been shown to improve semantic memory in SD patients. No preventative measures for SD are recognized. References
Reference 20: Rohani Omar, Julia C. Halistone, and Jason D. Warren, "Semantic Memory for Music in Dementia," Music Perception 29, no. 5 (June 2012):, doi:10.1525/mp.2012.29.5.467.Reference 21:Lise Gagnon, Isabelle Peretz, and Tamàs Fülöp, "Musical structural determinants of emotional judgments in dementia of the Alzheimer type.," Neuropsychology 23, no. 1 (2009): doi:10.1037/a0013790.Reference 22: J. C. Hailstone, R. Omar, and J. D. Warren, "Relatively preserved knowledge of music in semantic dementia," Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 80, no. 7 (2009): doi:10.1136/jnnp.2008.153130.
Using familiar songs, such as Christmas carols, were used to test whether SD patients were able to recognize the tones and melodies of the songs if the patients were just given the words of the song. In the analysis of semantic memory using melodies as stimuli, the contents of semantic memory can include many other aspects aside from recognition of the melody, such as the general information about the music (composer, genre, year of release). Results have shown that musicians who have semantic dementia are able to identify and recognize certain melodic tones.Further exploring the tests of music and semantic memory, results of a study that centered on the comprehension of emotion in music indicated that Alzheimers Disease (AD) patients retained the ability to discern emotions from a song while non-AD degenerative disease patients, such as those with semantic dementia (SD), show impaired comprehension of these emotions. Moreover, several dementia patients, all with varied musical experience and knowledge, all demonstrated an understanding of the fundamental governing rules of western music. Essentially, it was found that superordinate knowledge of music, such as the rules of composition, may be more robust than knowledge of specific music.Regarding the neurobiological correlates for this study, it was determined, via lesion studies, that bilateral (but especially the left-side of the brain) fronto-temporoparietal areas are significant in the associative processing of melodies.