Music Enhances Autobiographical Memory in Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

Studies have shown that the Four Seasons music may enhance the autobiographical performance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We used a repeated measures design in which autobiographical recall of 12 mild AD patients was assessed using a free narrative method under three conditions: (a) in “Silence,” (b) after being exposed to the opus Four Seasons, and (c) after being exposed to their own Chosen music. Recall was higher in the Chosen than in the Four Seasons conditions, and both were higher than in Silence. Autobiographical improvement was also characterized by an enhancement of positive emotional words. The findings suggest that music enhances autobiographical recall by promoting positive emotional memories.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Delphine Barrailh and Julie Reau for their assistance in recruiting the participants. We also extend our thanks to the patients and their care-givers for their time.