Extensive piano practicing has regionally specific effects on white matter development

Nat Neurosci. 2005 Sep;8(9):1148-50. doi: 10.1038/nn1516. Epub 2005 Aug 7.

Abstract

Using diffusion tensor imaging, we investigated effects of piano practicing in childhood, adolescence and adulthood on white matter, and found positive correlations between practicing and fiber tract organization in different regions for each age period. For childhood, practicing correlations were extensive and included the pyramidal tract, which was more structured in pianists than in non-musicians. Long-term training within critical developmental periods may thus induce regionally specific plasticity in myelinating tracts.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Anisotropy
  • Brain / anatomy & histology
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping*
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Music*
  • Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / physiology
  • Practice, Psychological*
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Pyramidal Tracts / anatomy & histology
  • Pyramidal Tracts / physiology
  • Regression Analysis