Music and MemoryHow does music affect your brain?

Music and the Brain

When the brain is listening to music, areas all over the brain are engaged in the task.

Watch an excerpt from ‘The Tango Brain’

Areas of color are areas of the brain that are being activated as the person is listening.

Music and DementiaOne of the most powerful examples of how

music can affect the brain comes when people with dementia listen to their favorite songs.

Watch ‘Alive Inside’

The Human BrainWe are born with all the brain cells we will

ever have, and they grow and develop over time.

There are roughly 2500 connections between brain cells when we are born. Some are from the sounds heard in the womb, like their mother’s voice or music.

The brain reaches peak volume around age 16, so you have the physically largest brain when you are a teenager.

The Human BrainThe brain continues to develop until age 25,

when the peak of memory function is reached. Although the brain is only 2% of your total

body mass, it uses between 20% and 50% of all the energy in your body.

As we age, our brains will lose some cells as a normal part of aging.

Confusion and memory loss are not normal at any age.

The Virtual Brain Tour, Part 1http://

www.alz.org/braintour/3_main_parts.asp

Normal Aging• What does it look like?

What does normal aging look like?• Slowing of reaction time• Bone loss• Loss of muscle mass• Some vision and hearing loss• Decreased sensitivity to tastes and smells• Loss of cells throughout the body• Slight slowing of brain processing speed, but

no loss of abilities

Risks to Brain HealthWhat are some things that can be harmful to

your brain?

Risks to Brain HealthAlcoholismSmokingObesityCardio-vascular diseasesDiabetesConcussionDiseases that cause dementia

ConcussionsJenna’s Story

Prevent Concussions What can you do to prevent concussions?

DementiaWhat does dementia look like?Who gets dementia?

Dementia FactsOne out of every eight people over age 65

has Alzheimer’s disease. At age 85, one out of every three people will

have it.In Wisconsin in the year 2020 there will be

enough people with dementia to fill Lambeau Field and Miller Park.

Family Caregivers70% of people with dementia are living in the

community at home or with family members, not in nursing homes.

One out of every four family caregivers are also caring for children under age eighteen.

Kids are often helping to provide care.

Virtual Brain Tour, Part 2http://www.alz.org/braintour/3_main_parts.as

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Most Common Types of DementiaAlzheimer’s DiseaseStroke-Related (vascular)Lewy Body Disease

Dementia SymptomsDifficulty in planning or problem solvingDifficulty in completing familiar tasksConfusion with time or placeTrouble understanding visual imagesGetting lost in familiar placesUnable to follow conversations or TV showsTrouble coming up with the right words

Young Daughter Faces Alzheimer’s Watch the video, ‘My Name is Lisa’. https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiRHyzjb5SI

Changes in BehaviorBlaming others for things they can’t rememberWithdrawing from social activities and friendsMake things up when unable to rememberInsist things are true that are notBecome angry or upset easilyRepeat the same questions over and over

Reduce Your Dementia RiskWhat can you do to reduce your risk of

developing dementia?

AnswersExerciseRefrain from smokingWear a helmetEat a healthy balanced dietSocial EngagementCognitive Stimulation

Music and Memory

Brain Health and MusicThere are benefits to your brain not only from

listening to music, but also playing music.Watch ‘How the Brain Benefits from Playing

Music’ https://www.youtube.com/results?

search_query=how+playing+music+benefits+your+brain