How Musical Activity Shapes Memory

Abstract. Musical activity has been found to drive plasticity in brain areas involved in the process of playing a musical instrument. The present article reviews how musical activity influences the brain structures involved in memory and how it impacts on memory functioning memory functioning. Musical activity appears to be associated with better memory capacity across the lifespan. Importantly, training-induced effects are not restricted to childhood, but can occur even in the elderly population. We conclude by outlining how musical activity, both on the receptive and active level, can be beneficial to patients suffering from memory disorders, inducing brain plasticity and memory improvement.