A new theory
Researchers previously hypothesized that the Mozart effect in epilepsy was connected to the emotional impact of music. The neurotransmitter dopamine, which plays a role in the brain’s reward system, is released when listening to music. However, the new research seems to challenge that theory. The majority of the participants did not express a strong preference for classical music.
“We believe emotions didn’t play an important role in these patients,” Dr. Rektor said, adding that the impact was instead mostly related to acoustic signals.
The team also found that the reduction in IEDs was larger in the lateral temporal lobe, the part of the brain involved in translating acoustic signals, rather than in the mesiotemporal limbic region, which plays an important role in the emotional response to music.
Comparing men with women, there’s an “overlap” of brain activation in most brain areas. However, some areas are more activated in men and others in women, said Dr. Rektor.
While the Mozart Sonata for two pianos in D Major has become the “gold standard” in this type of research, Dr. Rektor said “it’s very probable” that other classical compositions with similar acoustic properties have the same effect in epilepsy.
The investigators are testing other musical pieces, both classical and nonclassical. The ultimate aim is to develop individualized musical patterns based on these acoustic features.
“If it works, we would like to use it as a noninvasive neurostimulation method,” Dr. Rektor said.
‘Inspiring research’
Commenting on the study, session chair Marte Bjørk, MD, PhD, associate professor, department of clinical medicine, University of Bergen, Norway, called it “inspiring.” She noted that she recently had a patient whose temporal lobe seizures were consistently triggered by music played on a children’s TV program. “So I have no doubt that music can be important for some patients,” Dr. Bjørk said.
She questioned whether factors other than gender may predict response to music.
The study authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
A version of this article first appeared on Medscape.com.
