Meeting Banner
Abstract #3663

Improved White Matter Microstructure After a Novel Drumming Training in Huntingtons Disease

Claudia Metzler-Baddeley1, Roland John Baddeley2, Jaime Canteras3, Anne Rosser4, Elizabeth Coulthard5, Derek K. Jones1

1CUBRIC, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom; 2Experimental Psychology, Bristol University, Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom; 3Music Factory, Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom; 4Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom; 5Dementia and Cognitive Neurosciences, Bristol University, Bristol, Avon, United Kingdom

Huntingtons disease is characterised by basal ganglia and white matter degeneration leading to motor and executive dysfunction. This pilot study investigated for the first time a novel drumming training paradigm that combines sequence learning, timing and multi-tasking with practise of hand movement coordination. Diffusion MRI indices of white matter microstructure in frontal motor pathways and working memory performance were compared pre- and post-training. The results show improvements in white matter microstructure and in working memory function and hence potential for an effective clinical intervention.

Abstract PDF Presentation Video

Keywords

alone alterations analyses anisotropy anterior assessment axial axis axon biosciences blue bongo bristol category clinical clinics cognitive cohort combination complexity component conflicting control corpus corrected crucially damped deficits degeneration delis dementia density derive derived difficulty diffusion diffusivity disease disorder distortions drumming drums error evidence executive experimental extract factory females fractional free frontal function functions ganglia gradient hand hands home improved improvement improvements increasing individual introduced investigated john kingdom larger learning local loss materials matrix measures memory minutes model models months motion motor multicomponent music novel orientation outcome overlaid oxford pace paradigm parallel participants pathways patients patterns peaks performance pilot planned post previously principal prior psychology putative radial radiation recorded recruited registered reproducible resources scientists scope score scores screening seeding segment segments selected significantly slices speed studied studies subsequently suggests switching system target task tasking tensor together tracking tract tracts training underpin vector verbal versions wales water whether white whole years yellow