Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or playing an...

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language

Language is a system of communication that allows the expression of thoughts, ideas, and feelings. The brain processes language in both hemispheres.
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...

Brain Waves

Brain Waves

Brain waves are electrical signals generated by the neurons in the brain, which are regularly monitored to measure mental activities. Brain waves and their frequency ranges can be measured using an electroencephalogram or EEG. There are four main types of brain waves, each with distinct characteristics:

Working Memory

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.

Auditory Perception

Auditory Perception

The auditory system is essential for sound perception, utilizing various critical structures. When sound waves enter the outer ear, they travel through the ear canal and cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are then transmitted to the middle ear, where three tiny bones – the malleus, incus, and stapes – amplify the sound. This amplification is crucial, as it ensures that the sound vibrations are strong enough to be conveyed to the inner ear. These vibrations then reach the cochlea, a...

Brain Imaging

Brain Imaging

Brain imaging technologies provide critical insights into both the structure and function of the human brain, enabling medical professionals and researchers to diagnose, study, and treat neurological disorders or psychiatric disorders more effectively.
These technologies include computerized axial tomography (CAT or CT scans), positron-emission tomography (PET scans), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Brain network pathophysiology in dystonia.

Dystonia (Lausanne, Switzerland)·2026

Same author

Dyad practice facilitates motor learning in music.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Can neurologic music therapy make the difference when using immersive virtual reality in Parkinson disease motor training? Promising findings from a secondary analysis.

Frontiers in rehabilitation sciences·2026

Same author

Polygenic Associations Between Motor Behavior, Neuromotor Traits, and Active Music Engagement in Four Cohorts.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·2026

Same author

Evaluating the Barcelona Music Reward Questionnaire and semantic differential profile scale for adults with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation.

PLOS mental health·2026

Same author

Multi-ignition fire complexes drive extreme fire years and impacts.

Science advances·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping

Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping

Published on: August 12, 2019

Music increases frontal EEG coherence during verbal learning.

David A Peterson¹, Michael H Thaut

¹Department of Computer Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. petersod@cs.colostate.edu

Neuroscience Letters

|December 21, 2006

Summary

Music enhances verbal learning and memory by strengthening brainwave coherence in frontal regions. This study explored how singing words, compared to speaking them, impacts neural activity during learning.

More Related Videos

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

Published on: June 3, 2013

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping

Translational Brain Mapping at the University of Rochester Medical Center: Preserving the Mind Through Personalized Brain Mapping

Published on: August 12, 2019

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) with Auditory Stimulation in Songbirds

Published on: June 3, 2013

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Inter-Brain Synchrony in Open-Ended Collaborative Learning: An fNIRS-Hyperscanning Study

Published on: July 21, 2021

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Music Cognition

Background:

Music is anecdotally and empirically linked to improved learning and memory.
The neural mechanisms underlying music's effect on learning are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how musical versus spoken verbal learning affects frontal brain oscillations.
To explore the neural basis of music-enhanced learning and memory.

Main Methods:

Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure frontal oscillations during a verbal learning task.
Participants learned words presented either spoken or sung (modified Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test).
Learning-related changes in coherence (LRCC) were analyzed by comparing EEG during correctly recalled vs. non-recalled trials.

Main Results:

Spoken verbal learning showed no significant changes in frontal coherence.
Musical verbal learning demonstrated increased coherence in theta, alpha, and gamma bands within and between frontal areas.
Performance was similar across groups, suggesting differences are not due to general ability.

Conclusions:

Musical verbal learning strengthens coherent neural oscillations in frontal networks.
This suggests a neural mechanism for how music enhances verbal encoding and memory.
Findings highlight the role of frontal cortical networks in music-assisted learning.