Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Mapping the After-effects of Theta Burst Stimulation on the Human Auditory Cortex with Functional Imaging
Published on: September 12, 2012
Right temporal lobe activation when listening to emotionally significant music
Betty Bauer Alfredson1, Jarl Risberg, Bo Hagberg
1Gerontology Research Centre, Lund, Sweden.
Abstract:
The cerebral activation when normal elderly participants (6 women, 6 men, M age = 70 years) listened to self-selected emotionally significant music was investigated. Musical memories and preferences were discussed in an interview, and a piece of music with great emotional significance to the participant was selected and later played during measurement of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Measurements were made during silence, individually selected emotional music, and standard neutral music. The right temporal lobe showed a significant (p < .01) increase in rCBF when the emotional music was compared to silence. A temporal lobe asymmetry (right > left) during emotional music was also significant (p < .01). A decrease in the left prefrontal areas reached significance (p < .05) when standard music was compared to silence. For the emotional music, the right prefrontal area showed a decrease (p < .05). Emotional music thus activates right temporal and deactivates prefrontal regions in the right hemisphere.
Related Concept Videos
Auditory Perception
Role of Amygdala in Memory
One of the...

