abstract Andrea R. Halpern

Andrea R. Halpern (Bucknell University, USA)

Music cognition in healthy aging.

Older people enjoy music as audience members and performers, but little is known about changes in music cognition during the normal course of healthy aging. I will summarize some general principles of cognitive aging, then explore the extent to which music cognition (with an emphasis on memory), shows loss, gain, and maintenance in older adults. I will also discuss whether positive effects of musicianship may offset negative effects of aging and conclude with a preview of some in-progress projects. Listeners of all ages are welcome!