The Spencer-Bennett NeuroMusic Collaborative
Dementia affects around 50 million people globally, a number that is tipped to triple in the next 30 years. Researchers are tackling the issue on all fronts, with investigations ranging from genetics to lifestyle risks and treatments. With no cure yet, one key question focuses on prevention: Can we slow the rate of cognitive decline to avoid dementia?
The Spencer Bennett Neuromusic Collaborative aims to find out.
Enabled by a generous philanthropic gift, this three-year program will test whether music training workshops are a feasible cognitive training intervention for people experiencing mild cognitive decline - the stage before dementia develops.
Through an intensive music training course, imaging studies, and neurological and psychological testing, the program will provide evidence for what happens next in this space: a new field of research, broader studies, and music training programs for cognitive intervention within community settings.
The journey of a gift - research vision for public good
Philanthropic donations fill a gap in the research funding landscape. They broaden the scope of research by enabling us to explore ideas and develop programs of research that sit outside the remit of traditional funding programs.
They also give members of the community a direct way to build on our collective knowledge and ultimately, impact the lives of others.
The Spencer Bennett NeuroMusic Collaborative stemmed from conversations between Barbara Spencer and the Brain and Mind Centre's (BMC) development team. Barbara described her vision for a gift that would create new research parameters and lead to the possibility of health benefits for people affected by dementia. She expressed interest in prevention, a key focus of the Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic. As the conversations unfolded, Barbara reflected on the central role of music in the life she and Mr Bennett shared over their 49 years together.
“I am delighted that SCM has such a key role in this research. As an alumnus, it was Lance’s wish to endow the University of Sydney and I feel he would give this research the high priority that I do. We can all truly make a difference by supporting research of quality.”
This research program brings her vision to life. And for the 485,000 Australians who are affected by dementia, the gift has the potential to make life better.
'A transfomative gift'
The research team launched the Neuromusic collaborative at the Conservatorium in March 2022. Thanking Mrs Spencer, the Brain and Mind Centre's co-director, Professor Matthew Kiernan and Conservatorium Director, Professor Anna Reid, said this unique gift would have an impact for years to come.
Neuroplasticity and healthy ageing
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows the neurons in the brain to compensate for and respond to new situations or to changes in their environment - like illness or injury.
Lead investigator, Professor Sharon Naismith, says neuroplasticity is supported by cognitive training. Activities that require effort, repetition, and adjustment (learning from mistakes) stretch us, which helps protect our neuroplasticity.
"Training, acquiring and mastering new skills and knowledge is 'cognitive reserve', which is listed as one of the 12 known lifestyle factors affecting a person's risk of developing dementia.
"Musicians know this type of training intimately. In neuroscience, we have results from other studies tracking cognitive training, but there is still very little scientific evidence to show how it could be used to help people who may be at risk of developing dementia.
"This is an exciting opportunity to lay down that evidence and take that extra step towards reducing cognitive decline."
Making connections, the power of music
Professor Neal Peres Da Costa, Associate Dean of Research at the Sydney Conservatorium, has spent his life with music. He says it is worth learning from the experience of musicians.
"There are so many facets to music training and engagement. For example, working in an ensemble such as an orchestra could have implications for brain health: here, musicians are trained to listen and pick up on one another’s cues; they draw on fine motor skills, and often have committed the music to memory over years of training, rehearsals, and concerts. And, importantly, there is much social interaction.
"Additionally, learning to play an instrument or to sing involves a complex interplay of simultaneous motor and cognitive functions that may differ depending on the type of instrument or voice, demand for rhythm and fine muscle coordination, and motivation for learning, among other things. We also know music has a calming influence on listeners.
"While learning to play an instrument or to sing, as well as engaging with music in general is a fantastic endeavour at any age, we want to harness the potential benefits to improve brain health, so we need to understand which musical ingredients that may help to prevent cognitive decline. Without this evidence to show what is going on in our brains when we put all of this together and make music, we don't really know its full potential," Professor Peres Da Costa said.
"This is an exciting opportunity to investigate the science behind music-making and its potentially transformative power."
A closer look at neuroplasticity - imaging and bioengineering
Imaging specialists will assess MRI scans of participants at key points during and after the workshops to investigate whether any structural changes are observed.
Gathering evidence - hope for dementia intervention
Participatory design
During the program's first phase, researchers from BMC and SCM will work with small focus groups of participants enrolled in the Healthy Brain Ageing (HBA) Clinic. The focus groups provide the framework for the design of the music training workshops that will be offered as part of the study.dy.
The workshops - music-making and social participation
Researchers will then offer music training to older adults with concerns about cognitive decline and who have been assessed by the HBA Clinic. At this stage, workshops are not open to wider participation as this marks the feasibility study, which measures the impact of music training on a small group of participants.
Participants of the feasibility study volunteer to be assessed at three points over the course of training:
— Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will capture any changes in brain structure, such as loss of mass in key areas associated with Alzheimer's disease.
— Psychometric assessments will test learning, memory consolidation, speed of processing and other cognitive factors.
— Surveys and interviews will also measure the psychosocial characteristics, such as self-reported mental health and well-being factors.
To account for the known health benefits of social engagement, which may also contribute to any observed changes, a second group of participants may join in a social music series that fosters similar social interactions.
Translation - research to practice
We hope that in three years we will have the evidence that sets the stage for music training programs that could be provided in community settings or public health services.
The Neuromusic Collaborative
Associate Professor Rebekah Ahmed - NHMRC Early Career Fellow at the Brain and Mind Centre and staff specialist neurologist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital focusing on metabolic biomarkers in neurodegeneration. Rebekah will be involved in translating and implementing the program into community and clinical settings.
Dr Philip Eames - Sydney Conservatorium of Music, is a composer, pianist, choral director and academic with a doctorate based on the choral music of Percy Grainger. His wide-ranging research interests include 20th century contemporary classical music, empirical musicology, and music perception. Philip is a research associate at the SCM and will be involved in the design and implementation of the musical intervention.
Professor Cindy (Shin-Yi) Lin - School of Engineering. Cindy is a biomedical engineer with expertise in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. She holds the Kam Ling Barbara Lo Chair in Neurodegenerative Disorders at the University of Sydney, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health and is a member of the Brain and Mind Centre. Cindy will be instrumental in the neuroscientific measurement and evaluation of how the musical program may affect the brain.
Professor Lee-Fay Low - Faculty of Medicine and Health. Lee-Fay is a professor of Ageing and Health with expertise in dementia and ageing, with a particular interest in developing and evaluating interventions to improve the life experience of older people. Professor Low will use her knowledge to guide the design of the intervention to ensure it is accessible and acceptable for the participants. She will also guide the evaluation of the program and be instrumental in translating the research into practice.
Dr Peta Mills - Brain and Mind Centre. Peta has expertise in music psychology and is the Clinical Project Officer. She coordinates the team and provides overall operational support for the project.
Associate Professor Helen Mitchell - Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Helen is a singer, music scholar and music performance researcher with a focus on music practice and scientific discovery, with current work investigating how listeners recognise and describe individual performers’ sound identities. Helen is an advocate for community access and engagement with music and will be instrumental in designing an accessible, enjoyable musical intervention.
Dr Loren Mowszowski - Brain and Mind Centre. Loren is a neuro-psychologist and deputy Director of the Brain and Mind Centre's Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic and an NHMRC-ARC Dementia Research Development Fellow. Loren brings great expertise in the use of cognitive training to slow the progression of cognitive decline. She brings a wealth of experience in designing practical and effective interventions for those at risk of dementia and will be integral to the overall design, implementation, and evaluation of the project, with a particular focus on the cognitive, psychological and psycho-social components.
Professor Sharon Naismith - Brain and Mind Centre. Professor Naismith is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Dementia Leadership Fellow and holds the Leonard P Ullman Chair in Psychology at the University of Sydney. Sharon heads the Healthy Brain Ageing Program at the Brain and Mind Centre and is an expert on the modifiable risk factors that can lead to cognitive decline. Sharon will steer the project design and oversee the research program.
Professor Neal Peres da Costa - Academic Lead - Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Neal is a world-renowned performing scholar and music educator. He is a Professor of Historical Performance and the Program Leader of Postgraduate Research at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Neal brings a passion for musical engagement and combining the strength of the arts and sciences to design an innovative, engaging and effective intervention. As the academic lead from the conservatorium of music, Neal will provide guidance and support for the overall project.
Dr Joseph Toltz – Academic – Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Joseph is a research support manager with expertise in musical history, and cultural experiences and engagement with music. Joseph brings practical experience in engaging in multidisciplinary research that spans both creative and scientific domains. Joseph will be fundamental to the design and implementation of the musical intervention.
The University of Sydney has offered an opportunity for two fully funded research scholarships to join this exciting research collaborative. One position will work with the Brain and Mind Centre's Healthy Brain Ageing Clinic and one will join the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.