woman wearing headphones (Photo : Twitter)
University researchers have discovered in a new study that the brains of epilepsy patients respond differently to particular music types than people without the cognitive condition. They discovered that relaxing music therapy such as jazz by John Coltrane or classical by Amadeus Mozart helped to prevent epileptic seizures.
The study included 21 patients from September 2012 to May 2014, according to Hindustan Times. Researchers attached electrodes to the scalps of the volunteers, in order to record their brainwave patterns.
Scientists recorded the patients' brainwave patterns as they listened to silence for 10 minutes. Then they recorded them as they listened to music, which included Mozart's Sonata in D Major, or Coltrane's "My Favorite Things."
Dr. Christine Charyton told the BBC that 80 percent of epilepsy cases happen in the temporal lobe. It is the brain section that creates meaning from sensation.
In addition, the auditory cortex is located in the temporal lobe. Its function is to hear sounds and perceive music.
Normally when an epileptic seizure occurs, the victim becomes unconscious after the brain synchronizes with itself. However, that did not happen in the new study.
Instead, the scientists were "surprised" that the brain worked together with the music inside the temporal lobe. The new music therapy could be used with existing seizure treatments.
One of the main benefits of the new preventative therapy is that it is a holistic approach that does not require drugs or surgery. Music is basic and safe.
Professor Sarah Wilson is a Melbourne University professor. She said that two theories exist about why listening to music benefits epilepsy patients.
One hypothesis is that music balances the neurons working together or electrical activity's pattern. This lowers the spike or likelihood of the brain having seizures, according to ABC.net.
The other theory is that the music has a positive effect on the epilepsy patient's mood. However, more research is needed.
