Music

Session I

Hannah Stocker, "Tuning Into Memory: The Therapeutic Role of Personally Significant Music in Alzheimer's and Dementia"

Personally significant music (PSM) has the unique potential to evoke memories, stimulate alertness, and foster connection in people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This project examines existing literature on the therapeutic role of PSM and conducts a secondary analysis of EEG datasets to explore underlying neural mechanisms. EEG data from Alzheimer’s patients were compared to music-evoked EEG data from healthy listeners, distinguishing preserved neural aspects that PSM may engage. These findings informed the development of a caregiver-focused resource, offering evidence-based strategies for identifying PSM, designing effective playlists, and refining delivery. The combination of both a comprehensive literature analysis and neurophysiological insights supports the integration of PSM as a non-pharmacological approach to improve the lives of patients experiencing cognitive decline.

Student Major(s)/Minor: Chemistry, Philosophy

Advisor: Susan Via