Chapter 12 - Alzheimer’s Dementia

Summary

This chapter explores the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on memory and cognitive function, highlighting the potential of music as a therapeutic intervention. It discusses early warning signs of dementia and emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes, including music engagement, to potentially slow down cognitive decline. The chapter reveals the remarkable resilience of musical memory in Alzheimer’s patients, even those with severe memory deficits. It delves into the concept of a unique ’musical memory’ that remains intact longer than other forms of memory. Studies show that Alzheimer’s patients can recall familiar melodies, detect irregularities in music, and even learn new songs, demonstrating the power of music to unlock memories and emotions. The chapter also discusses the ’emotion-memory tunnel’, a brain region crucial for musical memory, emotions, predictions, and synchronization. Music’s ability to activate this tunnel may explain its efficacy in stimulating memory recall in dementia patients. The chapter then highlights ongoing research investigating the potential of singing to mitigate brain degeneration in Alzheimer’s patients. Early findings suggest that musical engagement may slow down brain ageing and improve cognitive function, mood, and quality of life.