AUTHOR=van’t Hooft Jochum J. , Benhamou Elia , Albero Herreros Claudia , Jiang Jessica , Levett Benjamin , Core Lucy B. , Requena-Komuro Mai-Carmen , Hardy Chris J. D. , Tijms Betty M. , Pijnenburg Yolande A. L. , Warren Jason D. 

TITLE=Musical experience influences socio-emotional functioning in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1341661

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2024.1341661

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=Objectives: On phenotypic and neuroanatomical grounds, music exposure might potentially affect the clinical expression of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). However, this has not been clarified. Methods: 14 consecutive patients with bvFTD fulfilling consensus diagnostic criteria were recruited via a specialist cognitive clinic. Earlier life musical experience, current musical listening habits and general socio-emotional behaviours were scored using a bespoke semi-quantitative musical survey and standardised functional scales, completed with the assistance of patients' primary caregivers.Associations of musical scores with behavioural scales were assessed using a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, educational attainment and level of executive and general cognitive impairment.Results: Greater earlier life musical experience was associated with significantly lower Cambridge Behavioural Inventory (Revised) scores (β ± SE = -17.2 ± 5.2; p = .01) and higher Modified Interpersonal Reactivity Index (MIRI) perspective-taking scores (β ± SE = 2.8 ± 1.1; p = .03), after adjusting for general cognitive ability. Number of hours each week currently spent listening to music was associated with higher MIRI empathic concern (β ± SE = 0.7 ± 0.