In a recent issue of Scientific Reports, new published research explores the various ways in which the brain functions during on-the-spot creation of rhythmic lyrics that require heavily demanding verbal creativity. The study was conducted by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The scope of the study observed 12 freestyle rappers each of whom had at least 5 years of experience as a performer. Each artist was closely observed during a lyrical performance session to help document what areas of the brain were used most to create spontaneous freestyle rap lyrics.

Utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRIs), researchers took images of each participant's brain as they were given two tasks: one was to create on-the-spot lyrics to a melody and the other was to change familiar lyrics to coincide with a different melody than usual. What researchers found was that when a freestyle rapper begins rhyming the brain utilizes what seem to be clear pathways in the brain that help formulate improvisational creativity. Certain parts of the brain seem to “light up” while others go into a more “at rest” mode, giving researchers a better understanding how the brain of a freestyle rapper is able to create rhythmic lyrics at a moment's notice. Areas such as the perisylvian system (which is where language is associated), the cingulate motor areas (the area that directs motion), and the amygdala (the area associated with emotion) showed increased stimulation during free style rap session.

To find out more about the study, read National Geographic’s article “Brains Got Game: The Amazing Minds of Freestyle Rappers”.

New research indicates that playing a musical instrument may not only calm an aching heart, but it may also significantly strengthen brain connections.

A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience revealed that musical training may lessen the effects of normal cognitive decline that occurs with aging. The evidence suggests that seniors who learned to play a musical instrument during childhood and continued to play for at least a decade performed better than others in various tests of cognitive ability. In fact, they scored higher not only on evaluations of motor dexterity, but also verbal memory and recall, and even visual-spatial discernment. The study further revealed that continuing musical development throughout a lifetime may enhance cognitive ability and lessen the effects of any lack of formal education.

This may be good news for those who have suffered the effects of stroke or experienced similar neurological motor impairments. Music offers an effective multi-senory means to treat such disorders. 

Other important factors supporting the positive effects of musical training include the ease of specifically quantifying the time spent developing the skill. For example, it's far easier for one to publicly recall the time devoted to learning a musical instrument than it is attempting to quantify time reserved for other activities such as reading or doing crossword puzzles.

This study further supports previous evidence published last year in the journal Neuropsychology.