Shared Brain Networks of Music and Language

Data collected from children [1] point towards a connection between music and language. This hypothesis is bolstered by anecdotal [2] and clinical evidence of the power of music to restore language in cases of brain dysfunction. However, many questions remain—at what level are these neural resources shared between music and language? Where and when are these resources shared? Emerging evidence suggests that music and language may rely on a common sensorimotor brain network involved in temporal processing [3, 4, 5]. This project seeks insight into this question with functional MRI and transcranial alternating current stimulation experiments, using machine learning-driven and single-subject level analytical techniques.

Associated Publications

1. Lee, Y. S., Ahn, S., Holt, R. F., & Schellenberg, E. G. (2020). Rhythm and syntax processing in school-age children. Developmental Psychology, 56(9), 1632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000969
2. Gabby Giffords’ Recovery: An Exclusive Look. (2011, November 15). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v4nGqLmsvs
3. Heard, M., & Lee, Y.-S. (2020). Shared neural resources of rhythm and syntax: An ALE Meta-Analysis. Neuropsychologia, 107284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107284
4. Wiener, M., Lee, Y.-S., Lohoff, F. W., & Coslett, H. B. (2014). Individual differences in the morphometry and activation of time perception networks are influenced by dopamine genotype. NeuroImage, 89, 10–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.11.019
5. Belyk, M., Lee, Y. S., & Brown, S. (2018). How does human motor cortex regulate vocal pitch in singers?. Royal Society Open Science, 5(8), 172208. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.172208

Neural Mechanisms of Rhythm-Based Language Improvement

Rhythmicity is a fundamental property of temporal information, which has been proposed as a primary source of connection between music and language [1, 2]. This link has led to growing interest in rhythmic priming paradigm for enhancing immediate language processing [3, 4] as well as rhythm-based musical training for developmental language disorders [5, 6]. However, there remains much to be understood regarding behavioral and neural mechanisms underlying the benefit of rhythmic interventions in speech and language functions [7]. This research aims to investigate the neural underpinnings of rhythm-induced speech and language improvement using neuroimaging methods including EEG and fMRI.

Associated Publications

1. Lee, Y. S., Ahn, S., Holt, R. F., & Schellenberg, E. G. (2020). Rhythm and syntax processing in school-age children. Developmental Psychology, 56(9), 1632. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/dev0000969
2. Heard, M., & Lee, Y.-S. (2020). Shared neural resources of rhythm and syntax: An ALE Meta-Analysis. Neuropsychologia, 107284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2019.107284
3. Przybylski, L., Bedoin, N., Krifi-Papoz, S., Herbillon, V., Roch, D., Léculier, L., ... & Tillmann, B. (2013). Rhythmic auditory stimulation influences syntactic processing in children with developmental language disorders. Neuropsychology, 27(1), 121. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031277"
4. Chern, A., Tillmann, B., Vaughan, C., & Gordon, R. L. (2018). New evidence of a rhythmic priming effect that enhances grammaticality judgments in children. Journal of experimental child psychology, 173, 371-379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2018.04.007
5. Flaugnacco, E., Lopez, L., Terribili, C., Montico, M., Zoia, S., & Schön, D. (2015). Music training increases phonological awareness and reading skills in developmental dyslexia: a randomized control trial. PLOS ONE, 10(9), e0138715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0138715
6. Habib, M., Lardy, C., Desiles, T., Commeiras, C., Chobert, J., & Besson, M. (2016). Music and dyslexia: a new musical training method to improve reading and related disorders. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 26. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00026
7. Schön, D., & Tillmann, B. (2015). Short-and long-term rhythmic interventions: Perspectives for language rehabilitation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences , 1337(1), 32-39.https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12635

Genetic Mediators of Music and Language Connection

Emerging evidence indicates that the basal ganglia, in conjunction with the sensorimotor brain networks, play a crucial role in implicit language learning and processing [1] as well as perceptual rhythm processing [2]. Inherent grammar deficits in developmental language disorder (DLD) are often accompanied by rhythmic motor impairments, suggesting a common genetic influence on the aberrant language and sensorimotor processing. Recent studies show that artificial grammar learning [3] and perceptual timing [4] are influenced by polymorphisms in a gene (DRD2/ANKK1) that determines the density of dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia. Building upon the previous research, we examine our hypothesis that the connection between music and language may be mediated by genetic variations of dopaminergic genes including COMT, DRD1, and DRD2.

Associated Publications

1. Ullman, M. T. (2004). Contributions of memory circuits to language: The declarative/procedural model.Cognition, 92(1-2), 231-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2003.10.008
2. Grahn, J. A., & Brett, M. (2007). Rhythm and beat perception in motor areas of the brain. Journal of cognitive neuroscience, 19(5), 893-906. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2007.19.5.893
3. Wong, P. C., Ettlinger, M., & Zheng, J. (2013). Linguistic grammar learning and DRD2-TAQ-IA polymorphism. PLOS ONE, 8(5), e64983. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0064983
4. Wiener, M., Lohoff, F. W., & Coslett, H. B. (2011). Double dissociation of dopamine genes and timing in humans. Journal of cognitive neuroscience, 23(10), 2811-2821. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2011.21626

Using TACS to Change Language and Music Behaviors

Neurons in the brain communicate through electrochemical signals which, through targeted non-invasive methods, can be carefully manipulated with electrical and magnetic fields. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (TACS) provides researchers with a chance to measure how oscillatory cortical patterns relate to cognitive function. By passing an alternating current through a cortical region, we can change endogenous cortical oscillations and observe their impacts on human behavior [1].

Certain types of cortical oscillations are known to be important for music and language processing [2, 3, 4], but the exact information carried by these bands of activity is unknown. Our work with TACS will uncover how interfering with these oscillations impact specific musical and linguistic behaviors, and thus reveal the information carried by cortical oscillations.

Associated Publications

1. Pozdniakov, I., Vorobiova, A. N., Galli, G., Rossi, S., & Feurra, M. (2021). Online and offline effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation of the primary motor cortex. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-83449-w
2. Doelling, K. B., & Poeppel, D. (2015). Cortical entrainment to music and its modulation by expertise. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(45), E6233-E6242. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1508431112
3. Harding, E. E., Sammler, D., Henry, M. J., Large, E. W., & Kotz, S. A. (2019). Cortical tracking of rhythm in music and speech. NeuroImage, 185, 96-101. 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.10.037
4. Giraud, A. L., & Poeppel, D. (2012). Cortical oscillations and speech processing: emerging computational principles and operations. Nature Neuroscience, 15(4), 511-517. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.3063

Neuromodulation through Auditory Stimulation

Neuromodulation is any technology that directly impacts nerve function. While traditional neuromodulation methods rely on externally-delivered electrical or magnetic agents applied to a target area, we are using auditory stimulation through binaural beats. Binaural beats are an auditory illusion perceived when two different pure-tone sine waves are presented to each ear [1]. For example, if a 250 Hz pure-tone is presented to a participant’s right ear, while a 260 Hz pure-tone is presented to the participant’s left ear, the listener perceives an illusionary third tone of 10 Hz. Previous studies have demonstrated how binaural beats can enhance psychological status (e.g., anxiety) [2, 3] and cognitive abilities (e.g., attention, memory, and attention) [4, 5]. However, its effect on music and language processing, and its underpinning neural mechanism, remain unclear. This project will investigate the neural mechanism of binaural beat-driven cognitive improvement using neuroimaging (i.e., fMRI, and EEG) and other neuromodulation methods (e.g., transcranial alternating current stimulation).

Associated Publications

1. Oster, G. (1973). Auditory beats in the brain. Scientific American, 229(4), 94-103. 0.1038/scientificamerican1073-94
2. McConnell, P. A., Froeliger, B., Garland, E. L., Ives, J. C., & Sforzo, G. A. (2014). Auditory driving of the autonomic nervous system: Listening to theta-frequency binaural beats post-exercise increases parasympathetic activation and sympathetic withdrawal. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1248. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01248
3. Weiland, T. J., Jelinek, G. A., Macarow, K. E., Samartzis, P., Brown, D. M., Grierson, E. M., & Winter, C. (2011). Original sound compositions reduce anxiety in emergency department patients: a randomised controlled trial. Medical Journal of Australia, 195(11-12), 694-698. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja10.10662
4. Hommel, B., Sellaro, R., Fischer, R., Borg, S., & Colzato, L. S. (2016). High-frequency binaural beats increase cognitive flexibility: evidence from dual-task crosstalk. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1287. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01287
5. Beauchene, C., Abaid, N., Moran, R., Diana, R. A., & Leonessa, A. (2017). The effect of binaural beats on verbal working memory and cortical connectivity. Journal of neural engineering, 14(2), 026014. https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-2552/aa5d67