Relatively Preserved Knowledge of Music in Semantic Dementia

Journal

Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry

Year

2009

Abstract

The brain basis for music knowledge and the effects of disease on music cognition are poorly understood. Here we present evidence for relatively preserved knowledge of music in a musically untrained patient with semantic dementia and characteristic asymmetric anterior temporal lobe atrophy. Our findings suggest that music is partly separable neuropsychologically and anatomically from other semantic domains, with implications for the clinical management of patients with brain disease.

Music and Health Institute Terms

Alzheimer's and Related Dementias; Cognitive Abilities; Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI); Memory; Music and Cognition; Music Cognition; Music Listening; Neurodegenerative Disorders

Indexed Terms

Comprehension; Dementia; Functional Laterality; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Semantics; Temporal Lobe

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

PubMed ID

19531690

Document Type

Article

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