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Language, Music and Dementia (2025-2026)

This project team examined how language and music are represented in the human brain and whether bilingualism, multilingualism and musical training may help protect against dementia and cognitive decline. Using behavioral and neuroimaging approaches, the team explored the relationships among musicianship, language proficiency and brain function, building on growing evidence that experiences such as language learning and musical training may contribute to cognitive resilience later in life.

Over the past year, team members gained hands-on experience with dry electroencephalogram (EEG) data collection and analysis. They developed and implemented resting-state and task-based research protocols for bilingual, multilingual and musician participants. Team members received extensive training in neuroimaging methods and analytical software and expanded their knowledge of EEG, fMRI, resting-state fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging techniques. 

Team members produced posters for the Bass Connections showcase and for honors research projects. One student successfully defended an honors thesis in neuroscience using neuroimaging data, and another received a Duke LaFitte Research Grant. The team is preparing a manuscript for publication based on its analyses of resting-state brain activity in musicians and bilingual or multilingual individuals, advancing understanding of factors that may support healthy cognitive aging.

Timing

Fall 2025 – Spring 2026

Team Outputs

BASS Connections: Language, Music, and Dementia 2025-26 16-Channel EEG Explorations of Bilingualism and Multimusicianship (Poster presentation at the Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase, April 15, 2026)

Honors thesis on neuroimaging analysis using Cabeza Lab datasets

Duke Lafitte Research Grant award (student research project)

Manuscript in progress

This Team in the News

Eric Wang: When Research Hits the Right Notes (student feature)

See related teams, Language, Music and Dementia (2024-2025) and Language, Music and Dementia (2026-2027).

Team Leaders

  • Edna Andrews, Arts & Sciences: Program in Linguistics, Arts & Sciences: Slavic and Eurasian Studies
  • Hayes Bierman, Center for International and Global Studies: Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies
  • Todd Harshbarger, School of Medicine: Brain Imaging and Analysis Center
  • Andrew Michael, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences
  • Eric Miller, Immaculata University
  • Daniel Sexton, School of Medicine: Neurosurgery

Undergraduate Team Members

  • Dhanya Balasubramanian, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Noa Bremen, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Carolyn Chen, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Erin Lim, Biomedical Engineering (BSE); Neuroscience (BS2)
  • Martin Ma, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Emily McDermott, Public Policy (AB); Neuroscience (AB2)
  • Maria Romero Degwitz, Neuroscience (BS)
  • Eric Wang, Interdepartmental; Biology (BS2)

Team Contributors

  • Gerald Grant, School of Medicine: Neurosurgery
  • Yana Lowry, Arts & Sciences: Music

Themes