Dr Parin N Parmar, MD, PGDMT

HOW BRAIN PROCESSES MUSIC

You know mechanics of hearing…
Today, we will know our brain!!!

 Dimensions:
14 x 16.7 x 9.3 cm

 Weight:
1300-1400 gm

 2% of human body
weight
Protected by God…

 Total volume:
1700 ml

 Brain: 1400 ml

 CSF (Cerebrospinal
Fluid): 150 ml

 Blood: 150 ml
What is the brain made of?

 ~100 billion
NEURONS
 + same number of
glial cells (supportive)
 77-78% water
 10-12% lipids
 8% proteins
 1% carbohydrate
Cerebrospinal Fluid

 Total volume: 150 ml

 Daily production: 500
ml
 Daily turnover: 4 times
 Clear and colorless
 99% Water + Proteins,
Glucose, Sodium
Potassium, Chloride,
Magnesium, Calcium
Interesting facts…

 The only organ that

lacks nerves!!!

 So one won’t feel

pain if one’s brain is
traumatized!!!
Interesting facts…

 Consumes 20% of
the total energy
generated in the
body…

 The main source is

glucose…
Interesting facts…

 Receives ~15-20% of
the total cardiac
output (blood) every
minute
Connections

 All parts of the body

through a rich
network of nerves

 Directly through
cranial nerves (12)

 Indirectly through
spinal cord
Parts of brain

 Cerebral cortex
(“large brain”)
 Diencephalon
 Limbic system
 Brainstem
 Cerebellum (“small
brain”)
Cerebral cortex

 Differentiates us
from other
animals…

 77% of total brain!!!

(31% in rat)
Diencephalon

 Thalamus and others…

 Emotional behavior
 Memory
 Mood and feelings
 Some motor activity
 “Personality”
Limbic system

 Closely connected
with diencephalon
and olfactory system
(smell)
 Basic emotional
reactions
 Sexuality
 Visceral functions
Brainstem

 All cranial nerves

originate
 Centers for
respiration and
vasomotor functions
 Sleep & wakefulness
 Continues below as
spinal cord
Cerebellum (“small brain”)

 Balance &
equilibrium
 Fine control of
movements
 Distance judgment
 Maintains tone of
the body muscles
Cerebral cortex – Frontal lobe

 Motor area – voluntary

movements
 Co-ordinates skilled
voluntary movements
 Control of micturition &
defecation
 Premotor area – mature
judgment, foresight,
abstract thinking
 “personality”
 Motor speech area
(“speaking”)
Cerebral cortex – Parietal lobe

 Sensory area –
receives most
sensations
 Touch, pain,
temperature,
pressure, etc
 Stereognosis
(“recognition with
closed eyes)
 Sensory speech area
(“Undestanding”)
Cerebral cortex – Temporal lobe

 Auditory area –
receives and
perceives sounds
 Loudness, pitch,
source, direction
 Auditory-association
area – analysis and
interpretation of
sounds & words
Cerebral cortex – Occipital lobe

 Visual area – receives

and perceives visual
information
 Form, size, color,
illumination,
movement
 Visual association
area – coordinates
visual input with past
experiences – helps in
recognition and
appreciation
How music is processed?

 Auditory cortex:
 Everything related to
“hearing”
 We “hear” music here
but do not “enjoy”
music here
 Analyze and
understand with help
of association area
How music is processed?

 Limbic system &

diencephalon:
 Brings out past
experiences
 Produces “gut” reactions
to music
 Improves mood
 Reduces anxiety
 You “enjoy” music here
 Ever had tears in eyes after
a touching musical peace?
How is music processed?

 Motor cortex:
 Playing with fingers
 Playing with mouth
 Singing
 Clapping and moving
feet
How is music processed?

 Sensory cortex:
 Sensory feedback
from instrument
while playing
 Playing an
instrument with
closed eyes
How is music processed?

 Visual cortex:
 Reading notations
 Co-ordination with
other players
 Visual feedback
How is music processed?

 Cerebellum:
 Fine work of fingers –
force, pressure & co-
ordination
 Maintenance of body
posture
Clinical Implications…

 Neurological disorders - Stroke, Alzheimer’s

dementia, Parkinson’s…
 Psychiatric disorders – depression, anxiety,…
 Stress-related disorers
 Speech & communication disorders

 Understand yourself & your patient

better…
Last interesting fact…