Objectives. Ageing is accompanied by neurobiological changes, such as changes in grey matter (GM) volume and cortical thickness, that mediate a gradual cognitive decline, which can, in turn, be potentially offset by stimulating leisure activities. Choir singing is an especially feasible musical activity with positive effects on physiological, psychological, cognitive, and social functioning in old age. Research investigating the effects of choir singing on the ageing brain is limited. As part of the Brain, Ageing, and Vocal Expression (BRAVE) project, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ageing and choir singing on GM structure.
Methods. Using a cross-sectional design and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and surface-based morphometry (SBM), this study compared GM structure between young (20-39 years; n=35), middle-aged (40-59 years; n=34), and old (60-90 years; n=31) participants and investigated the interaction of age and choir singing on GM structure with amateur choir singer (n=54) and controls (n=46).
Results and conclusions. Age had a significant and widespread effect on GM structure, with old participants showing lower GM volume and cortical thickness than young (in bilateral sensorimotor, auditory/language, visual, and limbic areas, midbrain, and cerebellum) and middle-aged (in right visual cortex, thalamus, hippocampus and left auditory cortex) participants. Middle-aged participants also showed lower GM volume and cortical thickness than young participants (in bilateral sensorimotor, language, and visual areas, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and right hippocampus and amygdala). These results corroborate the current understanding of neurobiological ageing. No significant interaction of age and choir singing was found on GM structure, which could be explained by methodological factors. Further research is needed to determine whether choir singing can support brain structure or function across healthy ageing.
