Neuroanatomical Disposition, Natural Development, and Training-Induced Plasticity of the Human Auditory System from Childhood to Adulthood: A 12-Year Study in Musicians and Nonmusicians.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Prospective longitudinal cohort study across 12 years
PubMed 37604688 · doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0274-23.2023
What was done
The AMseL longitudinal study followed 112 typically developing participants (51 male, 61 female; 66 musicians and 46 nonmusicians) across five measurement timepoints over 12 years from primary school age to late adolescence. The study combined structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetoencephalography (MEG) tracking auditory evoked P1-N1-P2 complex responses, and behavioral auditory tests evaluating elementary perception (frequency, tone duration, onset ramp) and pattern recognition (rhythm, subjective pitch).
What was found
The abstract reports directional findings without specific numerical values, test statistics, or effect sizes: - Auditory cortex morphology differed substantially between musicians and nonmusicians from the earliest measured ages. - Maturation led to continuous increases in white matter myelination and systematic P1-N1-P2 changes (decreasing latencies, hemisphere synchronization, and amplitude changes) across both groups. - Musicians exhibited functional neuroplasticity, specifically more synchronized P1 responses and bilaterally larger P2 amplitudes. - Musical training was associated with positive influences on elementary auditory perception and pattern recognition.
Why it matters
This 12-year longitudinal follow-up helps untangle baseline neuroanatomical predispositions ("nature") from training-induced functional plasticity ("nurture") across human auditory system development.
Limits
The abstract provides no numerical data, effect sizes, or confidence intervals. The cohort was non-randomized, allowing potential self-selection bias and unmeasured confounding. Retention rates across all five timepoints and specific training intensity/compliance metrics are not detailed in the abstract.
Cited by
- contradicts Aesthetic experiences and engaging with art promote myelination enhancements in neural pathways.