Whether it’s Bach, Beethoven, or Mozart, it’s widely acknowledged that classical music can influence a person’s emotional state. A recent study published on August 9 in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports highlights how scientists in China have utilized brainwave measurements and neural imaging to demonstrate the positive impact of Western classical music on the brain. Their objective is to discover more efficient methods of using music to stimulate the brain in individuals who typically do not respond, such as those experiencing treatment-resistant depression.
“Our research unites neuroscience, psychiatry, and neurosurgery, paving the way for future studies that explore the link between music and emotions,” explains Bomin Sun, a senior author and director of the Center for Functional Neurosurgery at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. “Ultimately, we aspire to convert our research insights into clinical applications, creating practical and effective music therapy tools.”
The focus of the study was on 13 patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression who had electrodes implanted in their brains for deep-brain stimulation. These implants connect two regions in the forebrain—the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The researchers discovered that music produces antidepressant effects by synchronizing the neural oscillations between the auditory cortex, responsible for processing sensory information, and the rewards circuit, essential for emotional processing.
“The BNST-NAc circuit, often associated with the ‘extended amygdala,’ highlights its close ties to the amygdala, a key player in emotional information processing,” remarks Sun. “This research shows that music triggers a synchronization of neural oscillations in the cortical-BNST-NAc circuit through auditory alignment.”
Patients involved in the study were divided into two categories: those with low music appreciation and those with high appreciation. Participants in the high music appreciation group exhibited significantly better neural synchronization and greater antidepressant effects compared to the low music appreciation group. This categorization allowed the researchers to more accurately analyze the antidepressant mechanisms of music and propose tailored music therapy strategies to enhance treatment results. For instance, adding theta frequency noise to the music improved the BNST-NAc oscillatory coupling, leading to increased enjoyment of the music among patients in the low music appreciation group.
A selection of Western classical music was utilized in this research. It was chosen for being unfamiliar to the majority of participants, as the researchers aimed to eliminate any biases from pre-existing familiarity. “We concluded that the selected music during the listening process was individualized and did not correlate with the emotional context of the music,” states Sun.
Moving forward, the research team intends to explore various areas. They plan to investigate how music interacts with the brain’s deep structures in relation to depressive disorders. Additionally, they aim to incorporate other sensory stimuli, such as visual elements, to assess the combined therapeutic effects of multisensory stimulation on depression.
“By collaborating with clinicians, music therapists, computer scientists, and engineers, we are looking to create a range of digital health solutions centered on music therapy, including smartphone apps and wearable devices,” Sun adds. “These innovations will feature personalized music suggestions, real-time emotional tracking and feedback, and virtual reality multi-sensory experiences to offer convenient and effective self-help tools for emotional regulation and symptom improvement in everyday life.”
This research was backed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the scientific and technological innovation action plan of Shanghai, and the Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project.
