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White Matter Microstructure Reflects Individual Differences in Music Reward Sensitivity
Noelia Martínez-Molina1, Ernest Mas-Herrero2, Antoni Rodríguez-Fornells1,3,4
1Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08097 Barcelona, Spain.
Summary
Individual differences in music pleasure are linked to brain structure. White matter integrity between auditory and reward areas, like the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and superior temporal gyrus (STG), predicts how much enjoyment people get from music.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Auditory Perception
Background:
- Individual differences in music pleasure are significant.
- Functional connectivity between the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and superior temporal gyrus (STG) influences music reward sensitivity.
- The neuroanatomical basis for these individual differences remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between structural brain connectivity and individual differences in music reward sensitivity.
- To explore the role of white matter microstructure in connecting auditory and reward brain regions.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and probabilistic tractography were used.
- Structural connectivity between the STG, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and NAcc was analyzed.
- 38 healthy participants (24 female, 14 male) were studied.
Main Results:
- Right axial diffusivity (AD) in STG-OFC connectivity inversely correlated with music reward sensitivity.
- Right mean diffusivity and left AD in the NAcc-OFC tract also showed inverse correlations.
- AD in the NAcc-OFC tract mediated the relationship between NAcc activation and music reward sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Structural integrity of white matter tracts connecting auditory and reward systems predicts individual differences in music pleasure.
- The interaction between perceptual, integrative, and reward systems, supported by specific anatomical connections, is crucial for musical enjoyment.
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