20th Lecture on the Biology of Music
April 20, 2009

Robert Zatorre, PhD
James McGill Chair in Neuroscience, Montreal Neurological Institute
McGill University, Montreal, QC

Music in the brain: Hard wired or hard work?

Abstract

How does our brain allow us to perceive, and perform music? How do we imagine musical sounds? Why does music elicit emotion? Neuroscientists are increasingly interested in questions such as these, because music can be a powerful way to reveal the inner workings of the mind and the nervous system that underlies it. Since music touches upon almost all of the higher mental functions, it provides us with a rich source of material to understand how the brain works. Conversely, musicians are beginning to become interested in the idea that the study of music and the brain may reveal insights into music, too. In this lecture I will discuss research carried out in our lab over the past few years from studies using neuroimaging techniques that help to shed light on these questions.