Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (May 2022)

Working-Memory, Alpha-Theta Oscillations and Musical Training in Older Age: Research Perspectives for Speech-on-speech Perception

  • Ryan Gray,
  • Ryan Gray,
  • Ryan Gray,
  • Anastasios Sarampalis,
  • Anastasios Sarampalis,
  • Deniz Başkent,
  • Deniz Başkent,
  • Eleanor E. Harding,
  • Eleanor E. Harding

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2022.806439
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

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During the normal course of aging, perception of speech-on-speech or “cocktail party” speech and use of working memory (WM) abilities change. Musical training, which is a complex activity that integrates multiple sensory modalities and higher-order cognitive functions, reportedly benefits both WM performance and speech-on-speech perception in older adults. This mini-review explores the relationship between musical training, WM and speech-on-speech perception in older age (> 65 years) through the lens of the Ease of Language Understanding (ELU) model. Linking neural-oscillation literature associating speech-on-speech perception and WM with alpha-theta oscillatory activity, we propose that two stages of speech-on-speech processing in the ELU are underpinned by WM-related alpha-theta oscillatory activity, and that effects of musical training on speech-on-speech perception may be reflected in these frequency bands among older adults.

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