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Study shows how 'Mozart effect' calms epileptic brain activity

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Natalie Handel, Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Picture of the statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart emerging from the skyline in Salzburg. Agence France-Presse file photo" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/life/09/17/mozart-effect.jpg"/><figcaption>Picture of the statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart emerging from the skyline in Salzburg. <em>Agence France-Presse file photo</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>PARIS, France - A Mozart sonata that can calm epileptic brain activity may get its therapeutic power thanks to melodies that create a sense of surprise, according to a study published Thursday. </p><p>The research on 16 patients hospitalized with epilepsy that did not respond to medication has bolstered hopes that music could be used for new non-invasive treatments. </p><p>&quot;Our ultimate dream is to define an &#x27;anti-epileptic&#x27; music genre and use music to improve the lives of those with epilepsy,&quot; said Robert Quon of Dartmouth College who co-authored the study published in Scientific reports.</p><p>Mozart&#x27;s Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major K448 is known for its effects on cognition and other brain activity, but researchers are still seeking to understand why.</p><p>In this study, scientists played the piece for patients equipped with brain implant sensors to monitor the occurrence of IEDs -- brief but harmful brain events suffered by epileptics between seizures. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/04/20/19/epilepsy-blocked-her-dream-of-becoming-a-nun-now-shes-a-fighter-for-the-deaf">Epilepsy blocked her dream of becoming a nun. Now, she&#x27;s a fighter for the deaf</a></li></ul><p>They found IEDs decreased after 30 seconds of listening, with significant effects in parts of the brain associated with emotion. </p><p>When they compared the response to the structure of the work, they found the effects increased during transitions between longer musical phrases -- ones that lasted ten seconds or more.</p><p>Quon says the findings suggest that longer phrases may create a sense of anticipation -- and then answer it in an unexpected way &quot;creating a positive emotional response&quot;.</p><p>The so-called &#x27;Mozart effect&#x27; has been the subject of research since scientists in 1993 claimed people who had listened to K448 for 10 minutes showed improved spatial reasoning skills.</p><p>Subsequent research has has tested K448&#x27;s effects on various brain functions and disorders, including epilepsy.</p><p>But the authors said this is the first to break down observations based on the song&#x27;s structure, which they described as &quot;organized by contrasting melodic themes, each with its own underlying harmony&quot;.</p><p>As with previous studies, patients showed no change in brain activity when exposed to other auditory stimuli or pieces of music that were not K448 -- even those from their preferred musical genres.</p><p>The patients in this study listened to 90 seconds of a Wagner work characterized by changing harmonies but &quot;no recognizable melody&quot;. </p><p>Listening to Wagner did not produce any calming effect, leading researchers to home in on melody as important in K448. </p><p>The study notes further testing could use other carefully-selected pieces of music for comparison to further pinpoint the sonata&#x27;s therapeutic components.</p><div><strong>nrh/klm/har</strong></div><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4n2M8eZLi_E?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

A Mozart sonata that can calm epileptic brain activity may get its therapeutic power thanks to melodies that create a sense of surprise.

Study shows how 'Mozart effect' calms epileptic brain activity

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Study shows how 'Mozart effect' calms epileptic brain activity

Natalie Handel,

Agence France-Presse

Published Sep 17, 2021 12:56 PM PHT

Read More:

epilepsy

music

mozart

Sonata for Two Pianos

wolfgang amadeus mozart

epileptic brain activity

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