Classical Music Enhances the Local Functional Connectivity Density in the Brain

Ruiliang Wang¹, Gene-Jack Wang², Frank Telang³, Rita Z. Goldstein, Nora D. Volkow⁴, Dardo Tomasi⁴

We used magnetic resonance imaging and functional connectivity density mapping (FCDM) to map hubs with high local functional connectivity density (lFCD)in 70 healthy men (age: 18-55). Two resting conditions were tested: 1) when the subjects rested with their eyes open (baseline condition), and 2) while they were listening to classical music (music condition). Our findings suggest that in resting conditions, music can increase the local functional connectivity of the brain. These findings are consistent with the involvement of brain regions in processing rhythm (dorsolateral prefrontal and parietal cortices and cerebellum), tonality (temporal and medial prefrontal cortices) and emotions (limbic cortex).