Amusia and cognitive deficits after stroke: is there a relationship?

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Jul:1169:441-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04765.x.

Abstract

We studied the relationship between musical and cognitive deficits by testing middle cerebral arterial (MCA) stroke patients (n= 53) with a shortened version of the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) and an extensive neuropsychological test battery. Results showed that amusic patients (n= 32) had more severe cognitive deficits, especially in working memory and executive functioning, than did non-amusic patients (n= 21), and the severity of amusia also correlated with attention deficits. These findings thus suggest that domain-general attention, executive, and working memory processes are associated with amusia after stroke.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory
  • Middle Aged
  • Music*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Perceptual Disorders / diagnosis
  • Perceptual Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Stroke / physiopathology*