The Effects of Classical Music Intervention on the Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients

Abstract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, presenting a profound challenge to both neuropsychiatric and cognitive well-being. As the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, AD currently lacks a cure. This concurrent drawback sheds light into both the pharmacological and nonpharmacological, therapeutic interventions that could be incorporated into an AD patient’s course of treatment. Among these is the transformative promise of classical music as a nonpharmacological mediation for AD patients. The exploration between classical music and the neuropsychiatric and cognitive mechanisms of AD unveils the effects of classical music on memory, spatial reasoning, depression, sleep disorders, and other AD symptoms. Concepts such as Mozart’s effect offer a source of solace for improving the quality of life of individuals diagnosed with AD. Moreover, the activation of the brain and the alteration in various brain structures give rise to the diverse effects of classical music in a healthcare and neurological setting.