Human brain basis of musical perception

2014). Human brain basis of musical perception: Common and distinct neural substrates for meter, tempo, and pattern. Brain Sciences, June 4(2), 428-452.

Authors

M.H. Thaut – Center for Biomedical Research in Music, Colorado State University, Ft. Collins

P.D. Trimarchi – Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield

L.M. Parsons- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca

Abstract

Rhythm as the time structure of music is composed of distinct temporal components such as pattern, meter, and tempo. This study explored whether distinct rhythmic elements engage different neural mechanisms by recording brain activity of adult musicians and non-musicians with positron emission tomography.

Results

Common to pattern, meter and tempo tasks were focal activities in right, or bilateral, areas of frontal, cingulate, parietal, prefrontal, temporal, and cerebellar cortices. Meter processing alone activated areas in right prefrontal and inferior frontal cortex. Pattern processing alone recruited right cortical areas. Tempo processing alone engaged mechanisms subserving somatosensory and premotor information.

http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/4/2/428