Can Music Stave Off Dementia? - Max Gaddis

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/31/health/music-dementia-link/index.html?hpt=us_t2

While researchers are pondering the ways to prevent diseases that affect older people, senior citizens are hearing the same thing over and over again, "stay active and stay fit!" Some people think music is a good way to do that, especially 101 year old Frank Iacano, the concertmaster for the Rhode Island Providence Civic Orchestra for Seniors. Vito Saritelli, the co-founder and executive director of the orchestra says, "Iacano is very sharp for his age." Iacano's wife Mary Iacano says that he is in good health, and it's because of music. Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, the assistant professor of neurology at Emory University who studies cognitive functioning among musicians, says, "Early research suggests that playing music may hold back symptoms by five years -- which would be significant if it proves to be true." Even five years is a lot of time! Even though music includes singing, Hanna-Pladdy's report did not include singers, only instrumentalists. Also, playing music for at least 10 years improved your chances of not having of-age diseases. Her report also stated that if you started playing an instrument before the age of 9, it also helped.

For me, music has helped me concentrate on things. In fact, while I am writing this report, I am listening to music.