Eliciting neural mechanisms of music medicine for epilepsy

ABSTRACT Prior research involving persons with drug-resistant epilepsy has demonstrated that listening to some music decreases the probability of clinical seizures and their related comorbidities. This article reviews recent research designed to elicit the neural mechanisms behind positive outcomes on biomarkers of the disease. Using novel music analytical and neurophysiological experimental methods, our results showed positive effects on epilepsy using 15-second gamma-band (40-Hz) complex tones as well as Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K448). We also observed greater effects with increased stimulus duration. Further analysis elicited effects localized to bilateral frontal brain regions due to transitions between musical phrases. Finally, music matched for patient preference from a range of musical styles was not as effective as 40-Hz tones or Mozart's K448. Understanding these results required expertise in both music and neuroscience, and could yield reliable music-based interventions for epilepsy that may also be transferable to other brain disorders.