The effect of music on brain development and plasticity

Proučavanje glazbe i njenog utjecaja na razvoj i plastičnost mozga započelo je s uočavanjem tzv. „Mozart efekta“. Mozart efekt predstavlja kratkotrajan pozitivan učinak glazbe na kognitivne sposobnosti. Dugotrajan učinak glazbe vidljiv je uslijed ranog započinjanja glazbenog obrazovanja i intenzivnog učenja vještina. Osjetljivi period za učenje glazbe je prije 7. godine života, sukladno s razvojem slušne regije mozga. Kod nekih glazbenika uočeno je posjedovanje apsolutnog (savršenog) sluha koje može poslužiti kao primjer za razumijevanje interakcija genetičkih i okolišnih mehanizama na razvoj mozga. Glazba se danas sve više koristi u svrhu rehabilitacije i dodatne terapije neuroloških poremećaja i bolesti,poput moždanog udara, Parkinsonove bolesti, epilepsije i demecije (Alzheimerove bolesti).The research of music and its influence on brain development and plasticity began with the discovery of the so-called „Mozart effect“. Mozart effect represents a short-term positive effect of music on cognitive abilities. A long-term effect of musical training is noticable with an early start of musical education and intensive skill-learning. The sensitive period for musical training is before the age of 7, relative to the development of the auditory region of the brain. The possession of absolute (perfect) pitch ability was noticed among some musicians and it could serve as an example of the interaction between genetic and environmental mechanisms on brain development. Furthermore, music is being used as a tool for rehabilitation and additional therapy for treating neurological disorders and diseases, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and dementia (Alzheimer's disease)