Differences in white matter architecture between musicians and non-musicians: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

Full Abstract

Previous studies found structural brain differences between musicians and non-musicians. In order to determine possible differences in white matter architecture, diffusion tensor imaging was performed on five adult subjects with musical training since early childhood, and seven adult controls. The musicians displayed significantly greater fractional anisotropy (FA) in the genu of the corpus callosum, while significantly less FA was found in the corona radiata and the internal capsule bilaterally. Further areas also showed significant differences. We hypothesize that these changes are due to the cognitive and motor effects, respectively, of musical training.

Author information

Author/s: Schmithorst, Vincent J (VJ); Wilke, Marko (M);

Affiliation: Imaging Research Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Suite R056A, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA. vince(-atsign-)athena.chmcc.org

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett), published in Ireland. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Mar; vol 321 (issue 1-2) : pp 57-60

Dates: Created 2002/03/01; Completed 2002/05/23; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 11872256, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00)

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