Abstracts

Rationale: The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not brain electrical activity in persons with epilepsy may synchronize with music differently than persons without epilepsy. The cerebral cortex is histologically organized into long columns of cells. This arrangement amplifies the voltages generated by post synaptic potentials to the point that the can be measure through the skull, which is the basis of electroencephalogram (EEG).Methods: We recorded EEG in 21 consecutive patients admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit. We recorded EEG in people with and without epilepsy at rest and while listening to music. We used bispectrum analysis in conjunction with Fourier analysis to determine the degree and distribution of synchronization.Results: We found significantly higher levels of synchronization and spectral EEG activation when listening to music in the frontal cortex and temporal cortex, especially in persons with epilepsy.Conclusions: We speculate that music may be useful to enhance electrical activity specific to the frontal and temporal cortices.