Question: How did listening to music improve the memories of those suffering with dementia?

Steven Brown answered on 15 Jun 2017:

I don’t think scientists fully understand this yet, but it definitely works. Specifically, it has to be personalised music – music people like; and typically when they were young (teens – early adulthood). And it specifically activates episodic memory – autobiographical memories including people and places.

When we are young, music plays a huge role in our lives. More than at any other age. It’s why older people still listen to old music! There’s something about this period of our lives that means music sort of seeps into our brains – and does not leave. It is thought that when we listen to music it activates every part of the brain – it lights up like a Christmas tree. When getting people with dementia to listen to their favourite music it can trigger memories from when they were younger and help them remember their wedding, etc.

As it is mostly older people with dementia, their children do some detective work to see what they listened to when they were young – sometimes war songs, church hymns. If you get the right music, it absolutely works. All of a sudden older people with dementia remember their husband or wifes face, and for a short period, their memories of their life with their husband or wife comes flooding back. Sadly, it is only temporary – but it really improves the quality of life for both dementia suffers and their friends and families.

We are learning more about this every day.