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Genomic Imprinting Is Implicated in the Psychology of Music

Samuel A Mehr1,2,3,4, Jennifer Kotler5, Rhea M Howard1

  • 11 Department of Psychology, Harvard University.

Psychological Science
|September 1, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Infants need parental attention, and singing may signal this. Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) affects genes linked to music perception, showing unique responses to music.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Developmental Psychology

Background:

  • Human infants require significant parental investment for survival.
  • Infant-directed song is hypothesized to signal parental attention.
  • Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) involves imprinting defects on chromosome 15q11-q13, affecting paternally expressed genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between genomic imprinting, specifically in PWS, and music perception.
  • To explore the potential influence of paternally expressed genes on music-related behaviors and sensitivities.

Main Methods:

  • Compared music responses in individuals with PWS (N=39) to typically developing individuals (N=589).
  • Assessed behavioral responses (movement) and physiological responses (heart rate) to music.
  • Evaluated pitch-discrimination abilities in both groups.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with PWS showed increased motor activity during music listening.
  • A greater reduction in heart rate was observed in PWS subjects during music exposure.
  • A specific deficit in pitch-discrimination was identified in the PWS group.

Conclusions:

  • Genomic imprinting, particularly the paternally expressed genes on 15q11-q13, may influence music perception and engagement.
  • PWS is associated with a distinct musical phenotype, suggesting a genetic basis for music's psychological impact.
  • These findings contribute to understanding the evolutionary role of music and its genetic underpinnings.

Keywords:
Prader-Willi syndromeevolutionmusicopen dataopen materialsparent-offspring conflict

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