Neuromusic showtime

A symposium coordinated by Joel Snyder, Edward Large and Virginia Penhune is dedicated to the perception and processing of musical rhythm. Researchers will present results made possible through the application of fMRI.

Christo Pantev coordinates the symposium on neuronal plasticity induced by musical training. The discussion will focus on the biological bases of the effects on the brain induced by listening and musical training and on the cognitive abilities of individuals with normal and pathologic neurodevelopment.

The symposium coordinated by Barbara Tillmann regards musical memory. Until recently, the biological bases of musical memory have been a relatively unexplored field, deserving further studies because of their implications on neurocognitive functions in both healthy and impaired development.

Another symposium, coordinated by Simone Dalla Bella and Steven Brown, focuses on vocal performance. Studies carried out on non-musicians will confirm the overall musical potential of man and explore the pathologic implications connected with the inability to sing.

Daniel Levitin and Mari Tervaniemi will coordinate the symposium on the perception of emotions in music, examining this aspect in the newborn, but also in healthy or autistic individuals.

Giuliano Avanzini and Katie Overy organize the symposium on the relationship between music and language, in particular between music, prosody and motor programming in the human brain. Presentations will deal with the inability to perceive and process certain fundamental components of music in individuals affected by amusia, and the implications of these results for music neuropsychology.

Lastly, Gottfried Schlaug will illustrate in detail the possibilities offered by music in neuro-rehabilitation.

A special session called “New Directions” will be dedicated to the possibility of appreciating music by cochlear implant carriers. Robert Shannon, Sandra Trehub and Nina Kraus will take part to this session.

A core section of the program includes a keynote lecture by Steven Mithen - author of the book Singing Neanderthals. The origins of music, language, mind and body - who will provide insights on the anthropological dimension of the relationship between music and neurosciences.

Registration is open on the Foundation’s site www.fondazione-mariani.org. The program with detailed information is also available online. For information and to subscribe to the special “neuromusic” mailing list and receive the “Neuromusic News” newsletter please send an e-mail to .