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Correlation of vocals and lyrics with left temporal musicogenic epilepsy
Author(s) -
Tseng WeiEn J.,
Lim SiewNa,
Chen LuAn,
Jou ShuoBin,
Hsieh HsiangYao,
Cheng MeiYun,
Chang ChunWei,
Li HanTao,
Chiang HsingI,
Wu Tony
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
annals of the new york academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.712
H-Index - 248
eISSN - 1749-6632
pISSN - 0077-8923
DOI - 10.1111/nyas.13594
Subject(s) - lyrics , singing , temporal lobe , psychology , epilepsy , cognition , neuroscience , cognitive psychology , audiology , art , medicine , acoustics , literature , physics
Whether the cognitive processing of music and speech relies on shared or distinct neuronal mechanisms remains unclear. Music and language processing in the brain are right and left temporal functions, respectively. We studied patients with musicogenic epilepsy (ME) that was specifically triggered by popular songs to analyze brain hyperexcitability triggered by specific stimuli. The study included two men and one woman (all right‐handed, aged 35–55 years). The patients had sound‐triggered left temporal ME in response to popular songs with vocals, but not to instrumental, classical, or nonvocal piano solo versions of the same song. Sentimental lyrics, high‐pitched singing, specificity/familiarity, and singing in the native language were the most significant triggering factors. We found that recognition of the human voice and analysis of lyrics are important causal factors in left temporal ME and provide observational evidence that sounds with speech structure are predominantly processed in the left temporal lobe. A literature review indicated that language‐associated stimuli triggered ME in the left temporal epileptogenic zone at a nearly twofold higher rate compared with the right temporal region. Further research on ME may enhance understanding of the cognitive neuroscience of music.