The Beat Goes OnLee Bartel, PhD

University of Toronto

The Beat Goes On: Drums keep driving rhythm to the brain

What is this session about?

the brain as a dynamic electro-wave device

the potential of sound and music to drive brainwaves

Bad things happen when brainwaves are dysregulated

Potentially music/sound therapy can re-regulate the brain

Margaret’s Story

Sleep

Chronic pain

What was going on in her brain?

Concepts of brain

Computer mother board – hard wired, physical, primary concern is about structure – physiology

We know quite a bit about this but it hasn’t explained much about cognition or consciousness

Neurochemical swamp – it’s all about hormones and neurotransmitters – chemistry

We know quite a bit about this but is doesn’t explain much either

The electrical system – brainwaves, nerve pulses --electrical

We know little about this – and it holds the most potential

Oscillatory Model of the Brain

Electrical activity uses the physiological structures and is modified by chemical

Brain states – steady state neural activity

There is constant pulsation (firing) at the whole range of frequencies (spontaneous)

Our states of being are somewhat related to electrical power in specific ranges of frequency

Delta – sleep; Alpha – awake relaxed; Beta – problem solving; High Beta – stress; Gamma??

Consciousness - ??

Amol’s story

Parkinson’s – frozen movement

30 Hz on chair for 5 minutes

What was going on in his brain?

Oscillatory Model

Really about Intra-brain communication – how the various parts interact and communicate

Rhythmic oscillatory coherence – multiple neurons must synchronize their “firing” for communication to take place

Circuits and Loops – e.g., motor circuit – cerebellum & basal ganglia; thalamocortical loop.

Rhythm Driving Brain Response

Sound creates a “firing” of the auditory nerve – into the thalamus – to the cortex.

So rhythmic repetitive sound creates brainwave synchrony – oscillatory coherence

So when you listen to steady drumming – like shaman drumming – there is a brain response at the frequency of the drumming.

But it doesn’t have to be drumming – can be other regular sound – like a Bach keyboard piece

This effect can also be at higher frequencies – e.g., 40Hz

Heidi’s story

Memory started to deteriorate

Moved into nursing home

Had not conversed with her husband for 2 years

Thought she was in a train station

Nextwave chair – 40 Hz, 5 minutes, 15 minutes

What was happening in her brain?

Back to Brain Wave activity and Circuits

When “normal” rhythmic pulsation in specific circuits gets dysregulated, problems arise.

Motor circuit dysregulation – Parkinson’s

Memory circuit dysregulation – Alzheimer’s

Mood circuit dysregulation – Major Depression

Sensory circuit dysregulation – Chronic Pain

Thalamocortical loop dysregulation: tinnitus, psychiatric, etc

Can sound re-regulate the brain dysrhythmias?

Margaret - Sleep – delta state dysrhythmia –

Amol – Motor – Parkinson’s – 5 minutes of 30Hz

Heidi – memory – 15 minutes of 40Hz

Linda – fibromyalgia – 23 minutes of 40Hz – TCD

Depression – Fibromyalgia study

How else can drums driving rhythm to the brain be used?

Cardio workout study

Cardio diagnosis

Likely to drop out

3 groups – (1) as usual; (2) music to walk by (3) punched up music

Effect strongest with punched up music – driving motor response

Questions?

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