› Boosting Brain Function in Later Life Through Singing

Summary: Singing in a social group such as a choir may help protect cognitive function and treat aphasia in older adults.

Ask anyone in a choir why they enjoy it, and they will tell you about the euphoric effects singing has on their mental health. A team of neuroscientists and clinical psychologists based at the University of Helsinki (Finland) believe these benefits could extend to improving brain function and treating aphasia. 

Professor Teppo Särkämö is studying how aging affects the way singing is processed by the brain, which could have important therapeutic applications.

“We know a lot about speech processing, but not much about singing. We’re exploring how different singing related functions might be preserved in many neurological diseases,” he explained.

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