Music and Alzheimer's Disease

This project is a research-based chapter on Music & Alzheimer’s Disease, meant to fit in with Resonances: Engaging Music in Its Cultural Context. Music can be used as a valuable therapy to temporarily reverse the memory-loss effects of Alzheimer's Disease and boost patients’ moods, and little training is needed to apply this tool. First, we examine the biology behind how music improves memory with a piece that is proven to improve the memory of Alzheimer’s patients who are listening: Spring by Vivaldi. Next, we see how this technique can be broadly extended to popular music such as That’s Amore by Dean Martin. Finally, we learn how to do this on your own with family and friends, with examples such as You Are My Sunshine.