Epilepsy and musical perception. A perspective involving 14 patients

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Musicology
• Psychology

Background:

• The intricate relationship between epilepsy and music perception remains largely unexplored.
• Musicogenic epilepsy and music-related epilepsy experiences are rare phenomena.
• Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) may influence cognitive functions, potentially affecting the musical domain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical characteristics of epilepsy patients with advanced musical knowledge.
• To understand how epilepsy and its treatments impact musical perception and experiences.
• To explore the specific effects of ASMs on music perception in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study design was employed.
• Musical perception was assessed in epileptic patients with musical knowledge before and after epilepsy diagnosis.
• Questionnaires and musical recordings were utilized to evaluate music perception, with assessments conducted after potential changes in ASMs.

Main Results:

• Fourteen patients with musical knowledge participated; 50% had temporal lobe epilepsy.
• Over 92% reported that epilepsy or ASMs affected their musical sphere.
• Professional musicians (42.9%) had to abandon their careers; polytherapy with multiple ASMs correlated with greater musical impact.

Conclusions:

• Temporal lobe epilepsy demonstrates a significant influence on music perception.
• Further research is essential to elucidate the specific effects of ASMs on music perception in epilepsy.
• The study highlights the profound impact of epilepsy and its treatment on musicians' lives.