Resting‐state language network neuroplasticity in post‐stroke music listening: A randomized controlled trial

• Published in: The European journal of neuroscience 2021-12, Vol.54 (11), p.7886-7898
• Main Authors: Sihvonen, Aleksi J., Pitkäniemi, Anni, Leo, Vera, Soinila, Seppo, Särkämö, Teppo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aphasia; Clinical trials; functional connectivity; Functional plasticity; Humans; Instrumental music; Language; Listening; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Music; Neural networks; Neuronal Plasticity; Neuroplasticity; resting state; Single-Blind Method; Stroke; Stroke - complications; Stroke - therapy; Vocal music
• ISSN: 0953-816X; 1460-9568
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15524

Recent evidence suggests that post‐stroke vocal music listening can aid language recovery, but the network‐level functional neuroplasticity mechanisms of this effect are unknown. Here, we sought to determine if improved language recovery observed after post‐stroke listening to vocal music is driven by changes in longitudinal resting‐state functional connectivity within the language network. Using data from a single‐blind randomized controlled trial on stroke patients (N = 38), we compared the effects of daily listening to self‐selected vocal music, instrumental music and audio books on changes of the resting‐state functional connectivity within the language network and their correlation to improved language skills and verbal memory during the first 3 months post‐stroke. From acute to 3‐month stage, the vocal music and instrumental music groups increased functional connectivity between a cluster comprising the left inferior parietal areas and the language network more than the audio book group. However, the functional connectivity increase correlated with improved verbal memory only in the vocal music group cluster. This study shows that listening to vocal music post‐stroke promotes recovery of verbal memory by inducing changes in longitudinal functional connectivity in the language network. Our results conform to the variable neurodisplacement theory underpinning aphasia recovery. Post‐stroke vocal music listening can aid language recovery, but the network‐level functional neuroplasticity mechanisms of this effect are unknown. Here, we unveil that vocal music listening during the first 3 months post‐stroke increases functional connectivity between a cluster comprising the left inferior parietal areas and the language network and that this functional connectivity increase correlates with improved verbal memory.