The Effects of Music on the Primary and Secondary Visual Cortices During a Visualization

Task: An fMRI Study

Jordan McNeely

University of Cincinnati

Introduction

Humans have the amazing ability to generate a copy of an array of sensory

inputs in our brains without actually experiencing the stimulus

For vision we can even create mental images of situations and scenarios we

have never before experienced

Introduction cont.

It has been well documented that when one creates mental images some of the same areas of the brain are activated as

if that person were actually receiving sensory input

(Cui et al., 2007; Hairston et al., 2008; Platel et al.,1997; Zatorre et al.,1996)

Introduction cont.

Studies have shown subjects report enhanced visual imagery when music is applied during

the imaging process (Band, Quilter, & Miller, 2002; Burns,2000).

Subjective reports of better vividness of visual imagery (VVI) have been linked to more

activation in Brodmann’s areas 17 and 18 (Cui et al., 2007)

Introduction cont.

Application of music

Enhanced visualization

Enhanced visualization

Increased Activation

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It follows that a researcher may be able to see greater activation in the occipital lobe during a

visualization task where music is applied

Introduction cont.

It is assumed that certain styles of music are prone to facilitate certain visual

imagery scenarios

Happy Birthday vs. National Anthem

Introduction cont.

Under this assumption, two different styles of music will be employed to test their effects on

the visualization process

The subjects will be asked to visualize scenarios that would be stereotypically associated with

the style of music (CT) and also scenarios that would be stereotypically dissociated the style

of music (IT)

Introduction cont.

Hypotheses Subjective report of VVI will significantly

correlated with visual cortex activation Brodmann’s areas 17 and 18 will be

significantly more activated during the CT than the controls

These areas will be significantly less activated during the IT compared to the control trials

Method

Subjects20 subjects (10 males and 10 females)Subjects should be controlled for age,

SES, ethnicity, culture, and level of education. Also they should be screened for any preexisting conditions that could confound the data

If at all possible, the subjects should be monetarily compensated

Method cont.

Music Selections Peterloo Overture by Malcolm Arnold

dark, sinister, rhythmic, and contain several dissonant cords

CT for this selection will be an army marching Turkish March by Mozart

staccato and bouncy CT for this selection will be children playing

IT for each selection will be the visualization for the other selection

Method cont.

fMRI Measured Visualization Task Control trails

Visualize children playing without music

Congruent trials Visualize image assigned to current music selection Two sets, one set for each music selection

Incongruent trials Visualize image assigned to other music selection Two sets, one set for each music selection

Method cont.

fMRI Measured Visualization Task Subjects will be given a blindfold to keep out external

visual stimulation For all conditions the subjects will be given the

visualization task and asked to begin visualizing at an auditory “go” signal and to stop visualizing at an auditory “stop” signal

Each trial will last 10s and there will be a 10s rest period before trails begin and between trials

Each subject will complete 10 trials per condition

Method cont.

fMRI Methods Data will be collapsed across subjects to

determine correlation between VVI score and visual cortex activation

The total brain activation for each trial will be subtracted from the total brain activation during the rest periods

Activation for control trails will be subtracted from activation for CT

IT will be subtracted from control IT will be subtracted from CT

Method cont.

Subjective Visualization TaskSubjects will be given a blindfold to keep

out external visual stimulation Subjects will perform control trials, CT,

and IT They will give their VVI reports during

each trial which will be tabulated

Results

ANOVAs will be run to determine if there are any significant differences between trails conditions

Pearson r will be run to determine if there is a significant correlation between subjective VVI score and visual cortex activation

Figure 1. Visual cortex activation relative to whole brain activation as a function of time. Data collapsed across trial condition.

Figure 2. Comparison of subjective VVI rating and visual cortex activation relative to whole brain activation. Trail condition categorized by color coding.

Discussion

This would should show that activation in one area of the brain could facilitate or hinder

activation in other parts of the brain

Limitations Only used classical music

Future Research Other fields where certain activation effects other

cognitive processes

Mozart:25

Arnold

2:05 2:43