Working-Memory, Alpha-Theta Oscillations and Musical Training in Older Age: Research Perspectives for Speech-on-speech Perception

Ryan Gray, Anastasios Sarampalis, Deniz Başkent, Eleanor E. Harding

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
131 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

During the normal course of aging, perception of speech-on-speech or "cocktail party" speech and use of working memory (WM) abilities change. Musical training, which is a complex activity that integrates multiple sensory modalities and higher-order cognitive functions, reportedly benefits both WM performance and speech-on-speech perception in older adults. This mini-review explores the relationship between musical training, WM and speech-on-speech perception in older age (> 65 years) through the lens of the Ease of Language Understanding (ELU) model. Linking neural-oscillation literature associating speech-on-speech perception and WM with alpha-theta oscillatory activity, we propose that two stages of speech-on-speech processing in the ELU are underpinned by WM-related alpha-theta oscillatory activity, and that effects of musical training on speech-on-speech perception may be reflected in these frequency bands among older adults.

Original languageEnglish
Article number806439
JournalFrontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Volume14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 May 2022

Keywords

  • alpha
  • musical training
  • older adults
  • speech-on-speech perception
  • theta
  • working memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ageing
  • Cognitive Neuroscience

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