Method of the Week
08/31/23 - Human Behavior
Summary: Researchers found that different areas of the brain became active to select different auditory streams depending largely on the tasks of selection at hand. For example, when working to memorize a certain auditory stream, the areas of the brain activated were those having to do with working memory. NOTES ON ARTICLE
Work cited: Janata P, Tillman B, Bharucha JJ (2002). “Listening to polyphonic music recruits domain-general attention and working memory circuits.” Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Neuroscience. 2 (2), 121-140.
09/07/23 - Human Imaging
Summary: Through studying sensitivity to musical structure in the human brain, researchers found evidence that musical training may lead to improvement in general executive functions, such as working memory and attention. NOTES ON ARTICLE.
Work cited: Fedorenko E, McDermott JH, Norman-Haignere S, Kanwisher N (2012). “Sensitivity to musical structure in the human brain.” J Neurophysiol 108: 3289-3300. Accessed September 13, 2023.
09/14/23 - Neuroanatomy
Summary: Mapping the basis of comprehension of individual principle components of music. Discovering what areas and subareas of the brain activated during detection tasks involving the melody, rhythm, or harmony conditions of a Bach chorale. Found which areas became more active during which type of detection task. NOTES ON ARTICLE.
Work Cited: Parsons LM (2001). “Exploring the Functional Neuroanatomy of Music Performance, Perception, and Comprehension: Functional Neuroanatomy of the Comprehension of Harmony, Melody, and Rhythm.” Annals of the New York Academy Sciences, 930, 1, The Biological Foundations of Music, 215-219
09/21/23 - Tract Tracing Studies
Summary: Present study used diffusion tensor imaging and probabilistic tractography to study the relationship between music reward sensitivity and white matter microstructure connecting the nucleus accumbens and the right superior temporal gyrus via the orbitofrontal cortex. Found that right axial diffusivity in the STG--OFC connectively inversely correlated with music reward sensitivity. Results provide further support for the idea that the exchange of information among perceptual, integrative, and reward systems is important for musical pleasure, and that individual differences in the structure of the relevant anatomical connectivity influences the degree to which people derive pleasure from music. NOTES ON ARTICLE.
Work Cited: Martinez-Molina N, Mas-Herrero E, Rodriguez-Fornells A, Zatorre RJ, Marco-Pallares J (2019). “White Matter Microstructure Reflects Individual Differences in Music Reward Sensitivity.” The Journal of Neuroscience, Behavioral/Cognitive, 39(25), 5018-5027
10/12/23 - Lesioning
Summary: Present study examined change in tinnitus loudness. Tinnitus loudness decreased and increased in 5 subjects where the DBS lead traversed area LC (Locus Caudate Neurons). Perceptual modulations were attributed to microlesion and/or electrical stimulation effects. NOTES ON ARTICLE.
Work Cited: Cheung SW, Larson PS (2010). “Tinnitus Modulation by Deep Brain Stimulation in Locus of Caudate Neurons (Area LC).” Neuroscience, 169, 1768-1778
10/25/23 - Animal Behavior
Summary: Present study aims to develop a working behavioral model for tinnitus and to evaluate effects of nimodipine and Chinese herbs on tinnitus in rats. Adult male albino rats were separated into 10 groups, 2 of which received sodium salicylate, 2 saline, 2 pure tone, 2 nimodipine, and 2 Chinese herbs. Developed model using Pavlovian conditioning to lick water at an automatic dispenser. Noise was used as a conditioned stimulus and electric shocks an unconditioned stimulus. Noise offset was associated with shock, and the shock would cause rats to stop licking. This condition was made extinct afterwards. Licking returned to pre-trained levels after significantly different periods of time. Results provided sufficient evidence that tinnitus was induced by salicylate. Groups indicated that nimodipine and Chinese herbs used could cure tinnitus induced by salicylate.
Work Cited: Wang H, Jiang S, Yang W, Han D (2000). "Evaluating effects of some medicine on tinnitus with animal behavioral model in rats." Europe PMC, 35 (5), 331-334